Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/2009/001123
Dated 24th September 2009
Name of the Applicant : MR. P.L. KATHURIA
Name of the Public Authority : C.G.H.S
Background
1 The Applicant filed two RTI applications dated (1) 04.03.09 and (2) 22.9.08
with the CPIO/CGHS, New Delhi, requesting in application no. 1 for
information against 4 points regarding the CGHS dispensaries working under
the South Zone, New Delhi including the number of such dispensaries with
addresses total no. of Doctors, pharmacists clerical and other staff working in
each of them and about the Ayurvedic units attached to each one of them etc.
In request no. 2 the Applicant sought information against numerous points
under 4 headings related to CGHS Dispensaries on New Railway Road, in
Sector 56, in Sector 5 all in Gurgaon; and information related to Columbia
Hospital and Umkal Hospital newly started in Palam Vihar, also in Gurgaon.
RTI application 1
The Director(Admin (CGHS) transferred the RTI request (1) to the CPIO (SZ)
on 4.5.09 with a request to provide the information directly to the Applicant.
The CPIO (SZ) replied on 27.05.09 giving Para wise reply on the basis of the
information received from the incharges of Ayurvedic Dispensaries/units. The
Administrative Officer (GE) Office of Additional Director (HQ), CGHS(HQ also
replied to the Applicant on 1.6.09 providing further information. Not satisfied
with the information, the Applicant herein filed a First Appeal before the
Appellate Authority on 08.06.09 stating that he has not received any
information even after the conclusion of the statutory period of 3 days.
However, on receiving the reply from the CPIO (SZ), the Applicant wrote to
the AD, CGHS(HQ) requesting for a clear response in case of replies saying
‘nor applicable’. He also requested for information against paras 2(b) and
2(c) and against para 4 of the RTI request. On 22.6.9, the Applicant again
wrote to the AD(HQ stating that he requires information dispensary wise and
not total number. Being aggrieved at not receiving any further information,
the Applicant filed a second appeal before the CIC on 27.7.09
RTI application 2
2. The CPIO furnished point wise information on 3.11.8 to the Applicant. The
CMO (SG) also furnished some information vide his reply dated 27.1.08. Not
satisfied with the reply, the Applicant again wrote to the JD& CPIO, Bikaner
Houseto the Additional Director(HQ) on 17.11.8 and on 31.12.08 respectively
seeking replies to points I, II, III and IV(d) . On not of the RTI application.
On not receiving any further information from the CPIO the Applicant filed a
complaint before the CIC.
3. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing on 24th September, 2009.
4. Dr. Navneet Kumar Dhamija, CPIO, Dr. D.R. Dey, represented to the Public
Authority.
5. The Applicant was not present during the hearing.
Decisions
RTI application 1.
6. The Respondent Public Authority submitted that the RTI request, addressed to
the Additional Director HQ, CGHS was forwarded to 3 CPIOs in Bikaner House,
CGHS, Gurgaon, & CMO (SG) by Joint Director Grievance Cell on 07.10.08.
The information by CGHS Gurgaon was provided on 3.11.08 to the Appellant
against Point 1. The Appellant on 21.10.08 CMO (SG) provided information
against 4 (a), (b) (c) of the RTI Request. The Respondent further added that
after receipt of the notice for hearing from the Commission dated 22.04.09,
the Joint Director, CGHS informed the Commission on 12.05.09 that
information has been furnished to the Appellant on 22.05.09 while regretting
delay caused due to administrative overlook on his part. The Commission
noted that the Appellant too has confirmed receipt of this information. The
Commission accordingly holds that complete information has been provided to
the Appellant. As for the Appellant’s request for file notings in respect of this
case, the Commission advises the Appellant to file a fresh RTI Request for the
additional information he is seeking at the stage of the second appeal. The JD
cum CPIO (HQ) is also given one last opportunity to show cause why a
penalty of Rs.250/ per day should not be imposed on him for not providing
the information within the prescribed time limit. (Datewise movement of
Application ) . The explanation to reach the Commission by 25 October, 209
with a copy to the Appellant.
RTI application 2
7. The Commission received a faxed letter dated 27.7.9 from the Appellant
stating that no reply has been received by him from CPIO, CGHS (SG) against
part IV of his application. He also requested for details of penalty imposed on
the CPIO and also a response to the query raised in para 5 of his letter dated
8.6.09.
8. The Respondent Public Authority in his written submission provided a brief
account of sequence of events in respect of the case as follows:
On 7.10.08, within 4 days of receipt of the application, the JD.GR.Cell
transferred the application to JD&CPIO (HQ) (for I,II,III and IV9D);
CMO I/C cum CPIO, CGHS Dispensary, Gurgaon for Point I and
CMO(SG) cum CPIO for points IV(a,b, and c) and Appellant informed
about the transfer vide letter dated 7.1.08.
CPIO Gurgaon received information on 16.1.08 and furnished the
information on 3.11.08.
CMO (SG) provided information for points IV (a,b and c) vide letter
dated 27. 1.08 (within 2 days of receipt of application). However, the
Appellant wrote on Jt. Director and CPIO on 17. 11.08 stating that he
has not received replies to points I,II,III and IV (d). The Appellant,
however, in his Cc acknowledged receipt of information from CMO I/C
and CPIO, CGHS Gurgaon while stating that he has yet to receive the
information against point 1(d) which was referred to the HQ for reply.
The Appellant submitted an appeal on 31.12.8 which was received by
AD(HQ) on 6.1.09 acknowledging receipt of letter from JD(HQ) dated
7.10.08 n only and that he has not received any reply to points 1(d),
II, III and IV(d). The Appellant wrote another letter to the Jt. Director
cum CPIO of HQ calling it his first appeal (and not to the Appellate
Authority).
On receipt of of notice dated 22.4.09 by the AD-HQ, the JD(HQ) sent a
detailed parawise and partwise reply on 22.5.09 to the Appellant .
Copies of this letter were sent to AD-SZ and to Nodal Officer RTI,
CGHS, Bikaner House informing him that the reply pertains to CMO I/C
Gurgaon for para I(a,b,c) and para IV(a to d) to be supplied by the
concerned CPIO.
The CPIO, CGHS(SZ) received information about the RTI request for
the first time only when JD(HQ) wrote a reply to the CIC dated
22.5.09. The CPIOSZ sought a reply from the CPIO, CGHS Gurgaon
Dispensary and on 1.6.9 the reply was sent by CPIO SZ on 11.6.9 to
CPIO Nodal Officer RTI for transmission to the Appellant. All this while,
the Appellant has been in touch with A-HQ office and the CMO I/C.
In his second appeal to the Commission, however, the Appellant had
acknowledged receipt of of letter of JD(HQ) dated 22.5.09 wherein
under para 2 he mentions that he has not received any reply from
CMO(SG) while the same was sent on 27.10.08.
5. In the light of the submissions on record and based on the detailed
explanation given by the Respondent in respect of furnishing the replies to the
Appellant, the Commission is of the considered opinion that all available
information has been provided to the Appellant and that efforts have been
made by the Public Authority to provide all available information at the
earliest. In the light of these observations, the Commission drops all penalty
proceedings against all the CPIOs involved in furnishin information in this case
to the Appellant.
6. The two appeals are accordingly disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G. Subramanian)
Assistant Registrar
Cc:
1. Mr. P.L.Kathuria,
House No. 625,
Sector 22/B,
Gurgaon,
Haryana
2. Dr. Lalit Dang , JD(HQ ) & CPIO
M/o Health & Family Welfare,
Central Govt. Health Scheme,
O/o the Addl. Director, (SZ)
R.K.Puram,
New Delhi
3. The Appellate Authority
M/o Health & Family Welfare,
Central Govt. Health Scheme,
O/o the Addl. Director, (SZ)
R.K.Puram,
New Delhi.
4. The CPIO cum Jt. Director
O/o the CMO (Hospital Cell),
9, Bikaner House Hutment,
Shahjahan Road, New Delhi
5. Officer in charge, NIC
6. Press E Group, CIC