Central Information Commission
CIC/OK/A/08/00607-AD
Dated May 15, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Mr.Shri kant Singha
Name of the Public Authority : Eastern Railway, Sealdah
Background1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.23.8.07 with the CPIO, ER, Sealdah.
He requested for information against 11 points with regard to Commission
Vendors/Commission Bearers in the Departmental Catering under the
jurisdiction of Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager spread throughout Sealdah
Division. The CPIO’s reply is not in the file. The Divisional Commercial
Manager transferred the RTI application to Chief Commercial Manager (PS),
Eastern Railway, Kolkata. However, on not receiving any reply, the Applicant
filed an appeal dt.19.12.07 with the Appellate Authority. On not receiving any
reply from the Appellate Authority, the Applicant filed a second appeal
dt.7.3.08 before the CIC.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing for May 15, 2009.
3. Mr. Amit Kumar Jain, Sr. D.C.M., Sealdah, E.R. cum CPIO and Mr. M.N.S. Roy,
CCM/FM, E.R. represented the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant was also present during the hearing.
Decision
5. The Respondent submitted that the CPIO had submitted one common reply to
three RTI applications, all of them filed on the same date. The Commission
directs the CPIO to show cause as to why a common reply was sent to the
Appellant in respect of his three applications, even though the issues are
similar. During the discussions it was agreed that the information sought by
the Appellant is voluminous and would result disproportionate diversion of the
resources of the Public Authority and accordingly the Appellant agreed to be
more specific and seek information only for the periof 2000 to 2004. The
Commission directs the Respondent to allow the inspection of relevant files
for these four years by the Appellant and to provide him with photocopies of
documents he requires. The CPIO to bring all the files to Howrah Division as
desired by the Appellant, for inspection. All information is to be provided by
30th July, 2009.
6. The appeal is disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian)
Asst. Registrar
Cc:
1. Mr.Shri Kant Singh
C/o Manoj Kumar Pandey
12/5 Muralman Para Lane
Howrah 711 101
West Bengal
2. The CPIO
Eastern Railway
Divisional Railway Manager’s Office
Commercial Branch
Sealdah Division
Sealdah
3. The Appellate Authority
Eastern Railway
Addl. General Manager
17 Netaji Subhash Road
Kolkata 700 001
4. Officer in charge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC