Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/09/00344
Dated May 4, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Mr.Jitendra Kumar
Name of the Public Authority : M/o External Affairs
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.10.7.08 with the CPIO, MEA. He
requested for information against various points in respect of Embassy of
India, Ankara and Consulate General of India, Istanbul, Turkey. The CPIO
replied on 3.10.08 enclosing the information provided by CGI, Istanbul. Not
satisfied with the reply, the Applicant filed an appeal dt.31.10.08 with the
Appellate Authority. The Appellate Authority replied on 12.1.09 enclosing
detailed information obtained from Embassy of India, Ankara and CGI,
Istanbul. Still aggrieved with the reply, the Applicant filed a second appeal
dt.26.2.09 before CIC.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing for May 4, 2009.
3. Mr. Debraj Pradhan, CPIO and Mrs. P. Sen Vyas, Special Secretary (PD) &
Appellate Authority represented the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant was not present during the hearing.
Decision
5. The Commission reviewed the information provided and noted from the
second appeal that the Appellant is satisfied with information against paras 4
(b) and 7(b). With regard to information sought against paras 6 and 11, the
Commission holds that while the information regarding journeys/ local tours
conducted by the Head of the Mission or by the Charge de Affairs is
denied to the Appellant under section 8(i)(a) as information affecting the
security and strategic interests of the state as also relations with the foreign
state, information with regard to any journeys/local tours made by any
junior officer using the flag car in the absence of the HOM or the officiating
HOM, including certified copies of relevant pages of the log book and details
of journeys/local tours undertaken by the junior officers, may be provided
after ensuring that any exempted information is severed as per provisions of
Section 10(1) of the RTI Act, while informing the Appellant, the reasons for
the severance. With regard to information against Point 2(a), 2(e), 8, 9(c),
12 and 14, complete information to be provided after obtaining the same
from concerned offices including the Office of the President of India. With
regard to 7(a) and 7(b) the Respondent submitted that the names of officers
who attended the two movies on 3.2.08 were not recorded since there is no
practice of recording names of people who attend such events. All the India
based officers normally attend such events on the invitation of the Head of
the Mission. While a break up of categories of invitees has already been
provided to the Appellant , no detailed information, therefore may be
furnished in respect of 7(a) and 7(b).
6 All information to be provided by 5 June, 2009.
7. The appeal is disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian)
Asst. Registrar
Cc:
1. Mr.Jitendra Kumar
C/o Mr.Kamlesh Kumar
Flat No.2023, Sector 4C
Vasundhra
Ghaziabad
Uttar Pradesh
2. Mr.Pratap Singh
The CPIO &
JS (Wel and A&RM)
Ministry of External Affairs
Akbar Bhawan
New Delhi
3. Smt.Parbati Sen Vyas
The Appellate Authority &
Special Secretary (PD)
Ministry of External Affairs
South Block
New Delhi
4. Officer in charge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC