Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/2010/000916
Dated : August 12, 2010
Name of the Applicant : Ms. Komal
Name of the Public Authority : Prasar Bharati, Alwar
Background
1. The RTI application was filed by the Applicant on 11.9.09 with the CPIO, Prasar Bharati, Alwar
seeking miscellaneous information against 12 points ranging from CPIO’s duties to details of different
programmes broadcast by AIR, Alwar. (the information sought is not very clear) PIO replied on
11.9.09 providing some information and requesting the Applicant to pay Rs.492/ towards 246 pages
of information. Being aggrieved with this reply the Applicant filed his first appeal on 30.9.09 to which
the Appellate Authority replied on 12.10.09 requesting the Applicant to approach the CPIO, AIR,
Alwar for obtaining relevant documents after inspection of records and after paying the necessary
fees. The Appellant’s representative inspected the records on 7th, 8th & 9th December 09. However he
did not deposit the amount as requested and instead approached the Commission on 19.4.10 with his
second appeal seeking information against the 12 points once again.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for August 12,
2010.
3. Shri Vijay Israni, PIO and Shri M.L. Meena, Deemed PIO represented the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant was represented by Mr. Girish and was heard over the telephone.
Decision
5. During the hearing the Respondent stated that he was unable to comprehend as to what exactly was
being sought by the Appellant in his RTI request and that he had provided part of the information on
11.9.09, as understood by him . It was noted by the Commission that the representative of the
Appellant had inspected the relevant documents and had identified the documents required by him.
However he did not pay the photocopying charges and had not collected the information required by
him. As for the appeal to the Commission wherein the Appellant had sought complete information,
the Commission directs the Appellant to pay the required Photocopying charges for the documents
already identified by him and collect the information. The Appellant is also advised to write the RTI
applications/applications in clear, legible hand writing in future and if typed submissions are being
made, to ensure that they are typed in a manner that is easily readable instead of cramming the lines
into one another, without spaces between words and instead of typing them all in very small capital
letters., as in the instant case. She is also advised to be more focused and to seek specific
information .
6. The Commission also noted that the Appellant after inspection of the records had written to the PIO
commenting on various issues related to the functioning of AIR Alwar and seeking opinions of the
PIO and details about future proposals etc and that the CPIO had replied on 27.11.09 stating that
the letter dated 5.1.10 written by the Appellant is not clear and ambiguous and requesting the
Appellant to pay Rs.492/ while reminding her that she had also been given one additional day for
inspection.
7. The Appellant contended that his letter dated 5.1.10 should have been taken into cognizance while
giving the decision. The Commission on careful consideration of the letter dated 5.1.10 by the
Appellant, however noted that the Appellant had only narrated his grievances in that letter and has
not sought any specific information. As for Rs.492/ which had been requested by the Respondent
from the Appellant as photocopying charges, the Commission directs the PIO to provide the
information, although the required information is not available on their website but is only available in
the records, on the CD after charging the Appellant for the cost of the CD.
8. As already informed earlier by the Respondent, information against point 1 to the extent the PIO was
able to interpret what the Appellant is seeking has been provided to her. The information required
may be provided to the Appellant by 15th September, 2010. AIR, Alwar also to comply with section
4(1)(b) of RTI Act and provide the compliance report to the Commission by 15th October, 2010.
9. The appeal is accordingly disposed of.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Ms. Komal,
H.No.2/550, Aravali Vihar
Alwar
Rajasthan 301001
2. The PIO
Prasar Bharati
O/o the Station Engineer
All India Radio
Alwar
3. The Appellate Authority
Prasar Bharati
O/o the Dy. Dir. General (WR.I&II)
Broadcasting House
Backbay Reclamant
Mumbai 400020
4. Officer Incharge, NIC