Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/2010/001077
Dated : August 30, 2010
Name of the Applicant : Mr. Vinod K. Sinandi
Name of the Public Authority : M/o External Affairs, New Delhi
Background
1. The RTI application was filed by the Applicant on 10.2.10 with the CPIO, M/o External Affairs, New
Delhi seeking information regarding the posting of officials to work in the Indian Missions abroad. He
sought information against 12 points. The PIO replied on 26.2.10 stating that the requisite
information sought is not available in the required format for the period of 10 years. Compiling the
same would disproportionately divert the resources of the Ministry and therefore is not required to be
done as per subsection 9, para 7 of Chapter II of RTI Act. He therefore advised the Applicant to visit
the concerned Personnel sections on a mutually convenient date to go through the relevant records
himself. Not satisfied with this reply, the Applicant filed his first appeal on 18.3.2010 stating that the
CPIO had failed to provide information without any reasonable cause. The Appellate Authority on
6.4.10 upheld the decision of the CPIO. Being aggrieved by this reply the Appellant filed his second
appeal before the Commission on 31.5.2010.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for August 30,
2010.
3. Shri Debraj Pradhan, PIO & Shri Vinay Kumar, Nodal Officer represented the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant was not present during the hearing.
Decision
5. During the hearing the Respondent submitted that the information being sought by the Appellant is
not being maintained in the MEA in the form in which it is being sought and that it is voluminous and
therefore difficult to provide. The Commission on perusal of the RTI application is also of the opinion
that the information being sought is voluminous since it pertains to a period of 10 years and is also
not being maintained in the required format. It was noted that to compile the information one needs to
open approximately 4000 files of all officials just to obtain information for one year. If one were to
consider the number of files to be opened for obtaining information for 10 years, the number would be
approximately 40000. Opening all the files and compiling the information would certainly
disproportionately divert the resources of the Public Authority and therefore cannot be considered.
Also the Commission is unable to perceive any relation of the disclosure of this voluminous
information with any public activity or interest.
6. In the light of reasons cited above the Commission directs the Appellant to specify the names of
officials about whom he is seeking information as also the exact year/s for which he needs the
information about those specific individuals so that the files of those individuals can be inspected by
him and he can be provided with copies of documents required by him, free of cost. This exercise is
to be completed by 5th October, 2010.
7. Accordingly the appeal is disposed of.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri Vinod K. Sinandi
H.No.4/1322B, Dalhai
Gali No.8, Bholanath Ngr
Shahdara
Delhi 110032
2. The PIO
Ministry of External Affairs
O/o the Jt. Secretary (RTI)
Akbar Bhawan, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi
3. The Appellate Authority
Ministry of External Affairs
O/o the Secretary
South Block, Room No.183A
New Delhi
4. Officer Incharge, NIC