Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/C/2010/000181
Dated July 23, 2010
Name of the Applicant : Shri Subrata Saha
Name of the Public Authority : Food Safety and Standards Authority, New Delhi
Background
1. The RTI application was filed by the Applicant on 13.10.09 with the CPIO, M/o Health & Family
Welfare, New Delhi seeking information against 5 points regarding the contents of a letter dated
17.8.09 of Food Safety and Standard Authority of India stating that to reduce the backlog in analysis
of imported food articles at CFL, Kolkatta, EIA Kolkatta has also been authorized for analysis of of
other imported food articles coming from customs authority, expeditiously, preferably within 3 to 5
days and that the imported food articles are being informally analyzed by the authorized food testing
laboratories including EIA Kolkatta . The CPIO transferred the application to the Director (Admn &
Fin) cum CPIO and ADG (PFA) cum CPIO, Food Safety and Standards Authority, New Delhi
requesting them to provide information directly to the Applicant. On not receiving any further
response the Applicant sent a reminder to the CPIO on 22.11.09 requesting for the information. On
still not receiving any information he filed a complaint before the Commission on 15.12.09 seeking
information once again.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for July 23,
2010.
3. Shri Prakash Chandra, Tech. Officer and Shri Satish Kumar, Research Asstt. represented the Public
Authority.
4. The Appellant was not present during the hearing.
Decision
5. The Respondent submitted that pointwise reply had been sent on vide letter dated 16.12.2009, a
copy of which was handed over to the Commissioner. The Commission observed that the RTI
application was made on 19.11.09 that and the information was provided on 16.12.09 and that the
complaint to CIC was made on 15.12.09. It is quite clear from the dates that the complaint and the
reply of the PIO had crossed each other. Since there is no further complaint from the Complainant
after receiving the information, it is assumed that he is satisfied with the reply provided by the CPIO
dated 16.12.09. With regard to point 2(b) of the reply, the Appellant is advised to pay the required
amount of Rs.8/ for the information and the PIO to provide the information within 10 days of receipt
of the amount.
6. The PIO to showcause as to why a penalty of Rs.250/ per day should not be imposed upon him
for not providing the information within the mandatory period. The response to the notice to reach the
Commission by 30.8.10 .
7. The complaint is accordingly disposed of.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri Subrata Saha
932A/94, Jossore Road
Kolkata 700055
2. The PIO
Food Safety and Standards Authority
FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road
New Delhi
3. Officer Incharge, NIC
4. Press E Group, CIC