Central Information Commission Judgements

Mr.K.P. Abobacker vs Indian Council Of Medical Reserch on 16 August, 2011

Central Information Commission
Mr.K.P. Abobacker vs Indian Council Of Medical Reserch on 16 August, 2011
                    CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
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                                            Decision No. CIC/SG/C/2011/000916/14096
                                                Complaint No. CIC/SG/C/2011/000916


COMPLAINT REMANDED TO                              First Appellate Authority
                                                   Indian Council of Medical Research
                                                   Regional Medical Research Centre,
                                                   Department of Health Research,
                                                   Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
                                                   Port Blair No. 13, Dollygunj, Port
                                                   Blair - 744101. Andaman & Nicobar
                                                   Islands, INDIA.


Complainant                                          Mr. K.P. Abobacker
                                                     P.O: Ograbraj, Port Blair,
                                                     South Andaman-744103..

Public Information Officer                         Public Information Officer
                                                   Indian Council of Medical Research
                                                   Regional Medical Research Centre,
                                                   Department of Health Research,
                                                   Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
                                                   Port Blair No. 13, Dollygunj, Port
                                                   Blair - 744101. Andaman & Nicobar
                                                   Islands, INDIA.



Facts

arising from the Complaint:

The Complainant had filed a RTI application with the PIO on 21/03/2011 asking for
certain information. She received a reply from the PIO, which she found unsatisfactory.
The Complainant therefore filed a Complaint with the Commission (11/08/2011) under
Section 18 of the RTI Act.

It must be noted that there is an alternate and efficacious remedy of First Appeal
available under section 19(1) of the RTI Act. It appears that the Complainant has failed to
avail the same in the instant case. Consequently, the First Appellate Authority (FAA) has
not had the chance to review the PIO’s decision as envisaged under the RTI Act.
Decision
In view of the aforesaid, the instant mater is remanded to the FAA.

The Commission hereby directs the FAA to treat the copy of the Complaint (enclosed
herewith) as the First Appeal and decide the matter in accordance with the provisions of
the RTI Act after giving all concerned parties an opportunity to be heard.

The FAA is directed to peruse all the relevant documents during the hearing and examine
whether the information provided by the PIO is complete, relevant and correct. Where the
FAA is satisfied that the information provided by the PIO is as per the records, the First
Appeal shall be disposed of. In the event, there are any deficiencies in the information
provided by the PIO, the FAA shall direct the PIO to provide the complete information in
reply to the RTI application to the Complainant.

The Complaint is disposed of.

Notice of this decision be given free of cost to the parties.





                                                                          Shailesh Gandhi
                                                                Information Commissioner
                                                                         16th August, 2011

Enclosed:        Copy of Complaint dated 11-08-2011.
                 Copy of PIO's reply dated 15-04-2011; and
                 Copy of RTI application dated 21-03-2011.