Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/C/2010/000437
Dated April 29, 2010
Name of the Appellant : Mr. G.S. Kumar
Name of the Public Authority : South Western Railway, Bangalore
Background
1. The Applicant filed his RTI Request on 12.10.2009, with the PIO South Western Railway, Bangalore.
He stated that Mr. Feroz Pasha a Ticket Examiner from SBC Division had given a press release to
Times of India news paper on 13.07.2009, in which he had stated that his target is Rs. 487,000/ but
he collected Rs. 5.26 Lacs in Feb and in the same month he collected over Rs. 57000/ in a day an
Indian Railway record. Mr. Pasha stated that this is because of his sincerity. He explained how and
what type of cases he deals with and the number of awards he had received etc. but at one place in
his statement, he mentioned that “Most of the times, ticket examiners do not scan their lists properly
or let ticket less passengers OFF after collecting some money by the side”. According to the
Applicant this one sentence has affected almost all the ticket checking staff. In this connection, the
Appellant sought information against 10 points including whether Mr. Pasha being a Government
servant can issue a Press Release and the action taken on Mr. Pasha for this. The PIO replied on
02.11.2009 providing point vise information. Not satisfied with the reply of the PIO, the Applicant filed
his Complaint before the Commission on 06.11.2009 requesting the Commission to look into the
matter of the newspaper cutting, so that justice is done.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for April 29,
2010.
3. Mr. Ravi, ADRM, and Mr. Amar Nath Dubey, Sr. DPO cum PIO represented the Public Authority
through video conference.
4. The Appellant was present during the hearing at the NIC studio.
Decision
5. The Appellant wanted to know whether a serving Govt. servant ie. a Ticket Collector can give a
press release. He objected to the statement made by Mr. Pasha about some Ticket Collectors letting
passengers off. The Respondent on the other hand, stated that no press release was given by Mr.
Pasha and that the journalist from TOI had spoken to Mr. Pasha in the presence of the PIO and that
answering questions put by a journalist is not a crime. He also stated that Mr. pasha was free to
express his views and that no derogatory language has been used and. Mr. Pasha had spoken in
general about Ticket Collectors and was not referring to anyone in particular. The Commission on
perusal of the appeal to the Commission is unable to make out what relief is being sought by the
Appellant from the Commission. Therefore, since available information has been furnished to the
Appellant the Commission accordingly disposes of the appeal.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G. Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Mr. G.S Kumar,
No84, Ratna Mahal,
Prashanthnagar,
Dasarahalli,
Bangalore
2. The Public Information Officer,
South Western Railway,
Divisional Railway Manager’s Office,
Personnel Branch,
Bangalore23
3. Officer in charge, NIC
4. Press E Group, CIC