Central Information Commission Judgements

Mr.S J Godhwani vs Ministry Of Railways on 9 April, 2010

Central Information Commission
Mr.S J Godhwani vs Ministry Of Railways on 9 April, 2010
                                       Central Information Commission
                                                                                                            CIC/AD/A/2010/000123
                                                                                                                      Dated April 9, 2010


         Name of the Applicant                                              : Shri S.J. Godhwani

           Name of the Public Authority                         :                       Eastern Railway, Kolkata


         Background

1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.22.6.2009 with the PIO, Eastern Railway, Howrah.  He 

sought details of  passengers in the AC 3­tier, Sleepers Class waiting and RAC passenger chart,  their 

imperative tickets numbers PNR Nos of 61 trains for the period from 2005 to 2008.  The PIO replied on 

13/14.07.2009        informing that Ordinance Factory Organization should approach for verification of 

journey details for their employers with specific PNR, Date of journey, Train No. and Passengers Name 

etc. to the following address for Train Nos. 4369/2130/2906/2301/2323/2860 which are under control of 

the said office. 

Chief Commercial Manager/PM
Eastern Railway
14­Strand Road
Kolkata­7000 001

In this regard the requisite fee of Rs. 750.00 per PNR will be levied.  Not satisfied with the reply, 

the Applicant filed his first appeal stating that Rs.750/­ per PNR cannot be levied on him as it 

would be a violation of the RTI Act.   The Appellate Authority replied on 07.10.2009 informing 

the Applicant that since information is voluminous and efforts are being made to retrieve the 

data and that it would take at least another week to collect the information.   The Applicant 

reminded the Appellant Authority on 07.11.2009 stating that as per telephonic discussion dated 

20.10.2009 he was informed that the information had been dispatched to his office but till date 

he   has   not   received   it.     On   19.11.09,   the   Applicant   filed   his   second   appeal   before   the 

Commission stating that some of the reservation charts have not been enclosed along with the 

covering letters.

2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, heard the matter through video 

conferencing on April 9, 2010.

3. Shri   S.   Mukherjee,   PIO   represented   the   Public   authority   was   present   at   the   NIC   Studio, 

Kolkatta.  The Applicant was not present during the hearing.

Decision 

4. The respondents submitted that complete information pertaining to the trains under the control 

of   Eastern   Railways   has   been   provided   to   the   Appellant   on   11.03.2010   through   registered   post. 

Rs.750/­ per PNR was not charged because it was understood on review of the information sought that 

the Appellant was only seeking the PNR numbers and not any verification against each PNR.

5. It   was   noted   that   there   is   no   further   communication   from   the   Appellant   after   receiving   the 

information   and   hence   it   is   assumed   that   he   is   satisfied   with   the   information.     With   regard   to   the 

information pertaining to the other Divisions the Appellant is advised to contact the concerned Divisions 

for the same.

6. The Appeal is accordingly disposed of.

(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner

Authenticated true copy:

(G. Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar

Cc:

1. Mr. S. J. Godhwani
Room No. 69, Nanak Nagar, Sindhi
Golony, Bhusawal, Distt­Jalgoan

2. The PIO
Eastern Railway
O/o the Chief Claims Officer
3, Koilaghat Street
Kolkata­700001

3. The Appellate Authority
Eastern Railway
O/o the Addl. General Manager
17, Netaji Subhash Road
Kolkata­70001

4. Officer in charge NIC

5. Press E Group, CIC