Central Information Commission
CIC/OK/A/08/01124-AD
Dated May 20, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Mr.Lachhman Das Verma
Name of the Public Authority : Northern Railway, New Delhi
Background1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.5.2.08 with the CPIO, NR, New Delhi.
He requested for information regarding his medical reimbursement claim
preferred by him to the CMD The CPIO replied on 17.3.08 stating that ‘in
reference to Applicant’s appeal dt.29.10.07 to CMD/NR, his appeal has been
rejected by the competent authority’. Not satisfied with the reply, the
Applicant filed an appeal dt.17.4.08 with the Appellate Authority demanding
seriatim comments/view by CMD on each and every point. The Appellate
Authority replied on 26.5.08 directing the CPIO to provide the comments
received from CMD and also stated that information is not to be created on
the request under RTI. Aggrieved with the reply, the Applicant filed a second
appeal dt.28.7.08 before CIC.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing on May 20, 2009.
3. Mr. Ravindra Kumar, Dy. GM/Law cum CPIO, Dr. B.B. Aggarwal, CMD and Dr.
V.K. Sihna, Dy. CMD represented the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant was present during the hearing.
Decision
5. The Appellant submitted that although the operation of his gall bladder was
planned on a certain date in a Railway Hospital, he had to undergo
emergency operation at a private hospital well before that date and wanted
reimbursement of expenses incurred on the operation. The Respondent
submitted that the CMD is the competent authority who examined the case
and rejected the claim stating that it was a planned operation and deliberately
passing the case for reimbursement is not justified. The Respondent then
presented the file noting containing the Competent Authority’s comments in
this regard. The Commission was informed by the Respondent that the file
noting was shered with the Appellant. After hearing both parties, the
Commission holds that all available information has been provided to the
Appellant and advises him to approach an appropriate forum for redressal of
his grievance.
6. The appeal is disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian)
Asstt. Registrar
Cc:
1. Mr.Lachhman Das Verma
S/o Mr.Karam Chand
B-34/2567, Rajesh Nagar
Haibowal Kalan
Ludhiana 141 001
2. The CPIO
Northern Railway
Headquarters Office
Baroda House
New Delhi
3. The Appellate Authority
Northern Railway
Headquarters Office
Baroda House
New Delhi
4. Officer in charge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC