In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/000105
Date of Hearing : February 9, 2011
Date of Decision : February 9, 2011
Parties:
Applicant
Shri Rakesh Kumar Bhargav
Haveli Ram Niwas
Bhargava Lane
Qutabpur
Rewari 123 401
The Applicant was heard through audio
Respondents
Regional Passport Office
Hudco, Trikoot3
Bhikaji Cama Place
R.K.Puram
New Delhi
Represented by : Shri P.K.Dass, APO & APIO and Shri Suresh Tadav, Asst.
Information Commissioner : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
___________________________________________________________________
Decision Notice
As given in the decision
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/000105
ORDER
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.18.5.10 with the PIO, RPO, New Delhi seeking information
against 9 points. He wanted to know the number of applications for passports which have been
received by the Rewari passport office since the time it had started functioning as also what action
has been taken on the official who had charged him Rs.1000/ extra for his passport. Shri Anurag
Bhushan, PIO replied on 17.6.10 furnishing point wise information. Not satisfied with the reply, the
Applicant filed an appeal dt.20.7.10 with the Appellate Authority. Shri A.Manickam, Appellate
Authority vide his order dt.13.8.10 while upholding the decision of the PIO, however, advised the
Applicant to seek inspection of records. Being aggrieved with the reply, the Applicant filed his
second appeal dt.21.10.10 before CIC.
Decision
2. During the hearing, the Respondents submitted that information against point 1 is voluminous and
providing the same would be almost impossible since the same is maintained only at state level. To
compile the information district wise, one has to check each and every file of the lakhs of files
pertaining to Haryana State which would disproportionately divert the resources of the Public
Authority. The Respondents further explained that the Appellant’s grievance relates to his wife’s
passport which had not been issued since her file was untraceable. The passport officer had due to
oversight asked for Rs.1000/ as application fees for the passport of the Appellant’s wife. However,
according to him the file could be located with difficulty and it was noted that the additional Rs.1000/
paid by the Appellant through a DD had not been encashed and is lying in the file. He stated that he
would be returning the DD to the Appellant. The Appellant, however, insisted on being informed
about the action taken against the official who had asked him to pay Rs.1000/ extra without
checking the records. He also complained that information has not been furnished point wise and that
the Respondent is misleading the Commission by stating that information for Rewari cannot be
easily retrieved from the computerized records.
3. The Commission after hearing the submissions by both sides, directs the passport officer to return
the DD for Rs.1000/ to the Appellant and advises him to issue the passport as promised within 15
days of the date of hearing. The Appellant may be informed about how the computerized system in
the passport office works which makes it nearly impossible to provide the details of passport
applications received only by the Rewari passport office. This information may be provided in an
affidavit to the Commission with a copy to the Appellant. The Appellant may, if he so desires, provide
specific passport Nos and File Nos so as to enable the PIO to consider disclosure of any specific
information required by him (Appellant) with respect to those passport numbers . The PIO to also to
provide information against point 5 seeking information about the action taken on the official who had
charged him Rs.1000/ extra. The entire exercise to be completed by 15.3.11 and the Appellant to
submit a compliance report to the Commission by 16.3.11.
4. The appeal is disposed of with the above directions.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri Rakesh Kumar Bhargav
Haveli Ram Niwas
Bhargava Lane
Qutabpur
Rewari 123 401
2. The Public Information Officer
Regional Passport Office
Hudco, Trikoot3
Bhikaji Cama Place
R.K.Puram
New Delhi
3. The Appellate Authority
Ministry of External Affairs
O/o the Joint Secretary (CPV)
Patiala House Annexe, Tilak Marg
New Delhi
4. Officer Incharge, NIC