In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/C/2011/000048
Date of Hearing : July 11, 2011
Date of Decision : July 11, 2011
Parties:
Applicant
Shri Samir Vijay Zaveri
H.No.127, Mumbadevi Road
Daya Mandir Building
3rd Floor
Mumbai 400 003
The Applicant was present at NIC Studio, Mumbai
Respondents
The Public Information Officer
Western Railway
Divisional Railway Manager's Office
Mumbai Central
Mumbai 400 008
Represented by : Shri Gopalakrishnan, Sr.DOM
NIC Studio, Mumbai
Information Commissioner : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
___________________________________________________________________
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/C/2011/000048
ORDER
Background
1. The Applicants filed an RTI application dt.21.6.10 with the PIO, Western railway, Mumbai seeking the
following information:
i) names of the stations where minimum two folding stretchers are available at Western
Railway Mumbai division
ii) names of the stations where collapsible stretcher is available at Western Railway Mumbai
division
iii) To permit the Applicant or his representative to inspect the same at stations.
The Sr.DOM replied on 3.9.10 as follows:
i) All suburban railway stations are having a provision of minimum two stretchers, but they are
not of folding type.
ii) Collapsible stretchers are not provided at any of the suburban stations.
iii) Applicant or his representative is permitted to inspect the same at the stations after duly
intimating the office.
The Applicant filed a complaint dt.21.10.10 before CIC stating that while the PIO had stated that
collapsible stretchers are not provided at any of the suburban stations, however in response to an
RTI application filed by Shri J.D.Sakpal, the Sr.DOM vide his letter dt.16.7.10 had stated that the
stretcher provided was collapsible. He stated that the information furnished by the same PIO is
contradictory with each other.
Decision
2. During the hearing, the Appellant complained about the two contradictory replies provided by one
PIO in the case of Shri Sakpal and by another PIO, with reference to information sought about
availability of collapsible stretchers at Railway stations. He stated that in the earlier case(Sakpal) ,
wrong information was provided by the PIO deliberately to mislead the Appellant, when he stated that
a collapsible stretcher was used to remove the patient from the accident site. His contention was that
the answer given by the PIO in the instant case that there are no collapsible stretchers in Western
Railway, Mumbai Division is correct. The Respondent explained that in Shri Sakpal’s case the reply
furnished on 16.7.10 was furnished by a PIO who was not able to comprehend what a collapsible
stretcher is. He pointed out that he himself is not completely sure of what a collapsible stretcher
looks like. He also pointed out that in response to the second appeal dt.21.10.10, a reply was again
furnished by the PIO on 27.10.10 wherein the PIO had admitted that an inadvertent mistake was
made by him in the information provided in the case of Shri Sakpal, regarding availability of
collapsible stretchers, while stating categorically that no collapsible stretcher has been provided to
the injured traveler and that what was used was an aluminum stretcher that was nonfoldable.
3. The Commission having noted the fact that the Appellant sought no further information with respect
to the RTI application, however directs the Sr.DOMBCT to explain once again as to why against
item No. 10 of his reply dt.16.7.10 in response to the RTI application dt.3.7.10 of Shri J.D.Sakpal, he
had informed the Appellant that the stretcher provided was collapsible. The explanation should reach
the Commission by 11.8.11 with a copy to the Appellant. No further information to be authorized for
disclosure.
4. The complaint to continue.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri Ramesh Chand
S/o Late Shri Laxmanlal
H.No.1486/30
Prakash Road
Nagra
Ajmer 305 001
2. The Public Information Officer
Western Railway
O/o the Chief Personnel Officer
Personnel Department
Old Building
Churchgate
Mumbai 400 020
3. The Appellate Authority
Western Railway
O/o Addl. General Manager
Churchgate
Mumbai 400 020
4. Officer in charge, NIC