Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/08/00220
Dated March 23, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Mr.Sanjay Kumar
Name of the Public Authority : All India Radio, Ranchi
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI request dt.29.7.08 with the CPIO, AIR, Ranchi. He
requested for information against 3 points including who determines the
language of broadcast of Farm & Home programme of AIR Ranchi; whether
there is any post of Nagpuri announcer/compere existing in AIR, Ranchi and
the number of and language wise vacancies in that programme etc. The
CPIO replied on 21.8.08 furnishing point wise information. Not satisfied with
the reply, the Applicant filed an appeal dt.12.9.08 with the Appellate
Authority. The Appellate Authority replied on 14.11.08 stating that
information provided by the CPIO to point (i) of the RTI application is not
appropriate. He also directed the CPIO to furnish the name of
comperes/presenters, either regular staff or on casual assignments, engaged
for Nagpuri language giving details of vacancies, if any. The CPIO replied on
20.11.08 stating that the language of presentation/compering of Farm &
Home Programme at Ranchi station is Nagpuri, but the experts presenting
this programme speak in Hindi. He also added that Shri P.K.Roy and Shri
Sunil Kumar Singh Badal are announcers and are regular staff for
compering/presentation in the Farm & Home Programme. He also provided a
list of announcers/comperes working on casual basis for the above
programme. The CPIO furher added that as per office records all announcers
at the Ranchi station are Hindi announcers. Hence vacancy under regular
Nagpuri announcer does not arise. Not satisfied with the reply, the applicant
filed a second appeal dt.18.12.08 before the CIC.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing for March 23, 2009.
3. Mr. Gautam Sengupta, Asstt. Station Director & CPIO and Mr. Abhaya Kumar
Padhi, Dy. Director General, AIR & Appellate Authority represented the Public
Authority.
4. The Applicant was not present during the hearing.
Decision
5. The Respondent submitted that information was sent to the Appellant on
12.10.07 by registered post and when it was returned since the addressee
was not available, it was again sent by speed post on 1.11.07. However, the
letter was again returned with the same comment that that addressee was
not available. In the light of the fact that the information was returned twice
by the post office, the Commission directs the Appellant to collect the
information from AIR Office, Ranchi before the 10th of April, 2009. With
regard to information against the 3 queries raised by the Appellant as his
ground for his second appeal, the CPIO is directed to provide information
against these points within 15 days of receipt of this Order.
4. The appeal is disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(K.G.Nair)
Designated Officer
Cc:
1. Shri Sanjay Kumar
DSC & Publishers
Shri Ram Complex
Shradhananda Road
Ranchi 834 001
2. The CPIO
All India Radio
Ranchi
3. The Appellate Authority &
Deputy Director General (ER)
All India Radio
Akashvani Bhavan, 3rd Floor
Eden Gardens
Kolkatta 700 001
4. Officer in charge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC