Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/2009/001112
Dated 24th September 2009
Name of the Applicant : MR. V.B. BHATIA
Name of the Public Authority : C.G.H.S
Background
1 The Applicant filed an RTI application dated 04.03.09 with the CPIO/CGHS,
New Delhi, stating that he is a senior citizen and requesting for information
related to reimbursement of expenses incurred by him on the operation of his
wife at Apollo Hospital. The CPIO, CGHS, (HQ) transferred the request to the
CPIO & CMO(SZ and the CPIO&CMO(Hospital Cell) 9, Bikaner House Hutments
on 25.3.09 with a request to furnish the information directly to the Applicant.
The CPIO (SZ) replied on 08.04.09 stating that the Zonal Office had sent the
said case to the Additional Director (HQ) on 24.10.08 and that till date the
reply has not been received by his Office. He also enclosed his communication
to CGHS(HQ). The CPIO(HQ) Bikaner House also replied to the Applicant on
27.12.08 stating that the relevant MRC file was sent by the CGHS (SZ) to his
office seeking information about bills submitted by the Applicant and that his
office had returned the said file back to the A.D. CGHS(SZ) along with the
information required, on 24.4.09. On 12.6.09, a reminder was sent to the
CPIO(SZ by the CPIO, CGHS Nodal Officer RTI(HQ) to the CPIO (SZ )
requesting him to provide the complete information as available on records.
On not receiving any further information from the CPIO(SZ), the Applicant
herein filed a First Appeal before the Appellate Authority on 04.03.09
reiterating the contentions as made in the RTI application. Being dissatisfied
with the information provided by the Appellate Authority, Authority, the
Appellant herein filed a Second Appeal before the CIC on 15.07.09.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing on 24th September, 2009.
3. Nobody was there to represent the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant, Mr. V.B. Bhatia was present in person during the hearing.
Decision
5. Based on the submissions on record which indicate that the file is at present
with the CPIO (SZ) the Commission directs the CPIO (SZ) to provide the
required information to the Appellant by 15 October, 2009 and also to
showcause why a penalty of Rs. 250/ per day should not be imposed on him
for not providing the information till date because of which an aged citizen
had to run from pillar to post seeking the status of his claim for the last 6
months. The response to reach the Commission by 25 October, 2009. (The
CPIO (SZ) who happened to to appear before the Commission for the next
case was informed about the delay in replying to the Appellant. The CPIO
promised to look into the case immediately within the next two to threee
days).
6. The appeal is accordingly disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G. Subramanian)
Assistant Registrar
Cc:
1. Mr. V.B. Bhatia,
House No. C-6,
East of Kailash,
New Delhi- 110065
2. Dr. N.K. Dhamija, CPIO(SZ) and OSD(D)
Office of the Additional Director
CGHS (SZ)
Sector VIII, R.K.Puram
New Delhi 22
3. The CPIO
M/o Health & Family Welfare,
Central Govt. Health Scheme,
O/o the CMO (Hospital Cell),
9, Bikaner House Hutment,
Shahjahan Road,
New Delhi
4. The Appellate Authority
M/o Health & Family Welfare,
Central Govt. Health Scheme,
O/o the CMO (Hospital Cell),
9, Bikaner House Hutment,
Shahjahan Road,
New Delhi
5. Officer in charge, NIC
6. Press E Group, CIC