Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/2009/001467
Dated 18th November, 2009
Name of the Applicant : MR. VINOD VARSHNEY
Name of the Public Authority : PRASAR BHARATI
Background
1. The Applicant filed his RTI request on 17.07.09 with the PIO / DG: All India Radio,
New Delhi requesting for information against 6 points including information regarding
the employees of AIR who had participated in Expo 09 arranged by the Braodcasting
Engineering Society in Pragati Maidan from 23.2.09 to 25.2.09Name, registration no.,
period, registration no. etc. besides the list of materials provided by the BES to the
officers at the time of registration and seeking information related to the recognition
given by Prasar Bharati etc. The CPIO replied providing information related to AIR,
available in letters dated 10.08.09, 20.02.09, 19.02.09 and 23.02.09. The CPIO, also
replied on 19.08.09 giving point wise information to the remaining queries.
However, not satisfied with the replies, the Applicant filed his First Appeal on
28.08.09 requesting for information in tabular form and stating that the information is
incomplete. On not receiving any reply from the Appellate Authority, the Appellant
filed a Second Appeal before the CIC on 16.10.09 reiterating his contention as given in
the First Appeal.
3. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner scheduled the
hearing for 18th November, 2009.
4. Mr. Nasim Ur Rahman, Deputy Director & CPIO and Mr.S.R. Pandey, Consultant
represented the Public Authority.
5. The Applicant was heard through audio conferencing during the hearing.
Decision
6. The Respondent submitted that the Broadcasting Engineering Society is an
independent society and is not aided in any way by Prasar Bharati and is also not
under the control of Prasar Bharati; hence question of recognition of the Society by
the Prasar Bharati does not exist. He also stated that the registration number and
other details could not be furnished since the information is only available with BES.
The Appellant who was heard over the phone, stated that he had requested for
information from all over India and that he had received only for Delhi.
7. The Commission while noting that efforts have been made to provide the information
sought and holding that the same is voluminous and that the CPIO is not in a
position to furnish it in the format provided by the Appellant, directs the CPIO to try
and get the complete information from BES. Simultaneously the RTI request to be
transferred by e-mail and by post to all the stations requesting them to provide the
information directly to the Appellant, by end December, 2009
8. The Commission directs the CPIO to show cause as to why only part information has
been provided to the Appellant when it is clear from the RTI application that
information has been sought about all those who participated in Expo 09 from across
India. The response to reach the Commission by 20 December, 2009.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G. Subramanian)
Assistant Registrar
Cc:
1. Mr. Vinod Varshney
2/40 D, Janakpuri,
Marris Road,
Aligarh, UP.
2. The PIO
Directorate General
All India Radio, (P&D) Unit
Akashwani Bhawan,
Sansad Marg
New Delhi.
3. The Appellate Authority
DDG(A), Nodal Officer RTI
Akashwani Mahanideshalaya
Akashwani Bhawan,
Sansad Marg
New Delhi.
4. Officer in charge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC