Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/2009/000920
Dated August 21, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Ms.M.Anita
Name of the Public Authority : Dept. of Telecommunications
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.16.3.09 with CPIO, DoT. She
requested for information relating to her transfer/posting vide order dt.9.3.09
along with certified copies of file notings and also wanted to know whether
the approval of the Cadre Controlling Authority i.e. Member (F), Telecom
Commission was taken. If not, to provide the reasons along with certified
copies of existing relevant orders / rulings. She also filed another RTI
application dt.16.3.09 seeking information against 4 points such as stay
particulars indicating the period of stay in a single station of all the lady
officers of Indian P&T Accounts & Finance Services since their joining, how
many lady officers were transferred after the completion of 6 years with
reasons for the transfer. If not transferred the reason for the same along
with certified copies of file notings, rulings etc. The CPIO replied on 15.4.09
providing point wise information with regard to her first application and
stating that no such information is available with regard to her second
application. Not satisfied with the reply, the Applicant filed an appeal
dt.7.5.09 with the Appellate Authority stating that date of her joining in the
present place of posting is wrongly given as 9.9.02 instead of 1.6.05. She
also stated that SEA section of the DoT is the custodian of the data /
information pertaining to all the Accounts & Finance personnel in DOT which
also effects the transfer/posting and maintains service book records, personal
files and copies of joining reports etc. The Appellate Authority, in his Order
dated 12.6.09 stated that the requisite records are not available in the SEA
Section. He invited the Applicant to peruse the available records in the SEA
Section ie. bio-data/service books of the officers and their stay particulars.
Aggrieved with this reply, the Applicant filed a second appeal dt.12.6.09
before the CIC reiterating her request.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the
hearing on August 21, 2009.
3. Mr.P.K.Sinha, Appellate Authority and Mr.M.P.Pandey represented the Public
Authority.
4. The Applicant was heard through audio conferencing.
Decision
5. The Appellant stated that SEA Section is the custodian of data pertaining to
Accounts & Finance personnel and it is the Section which effects postings and
transfers . She also wanted to know how , in the absence of any records , the
Public Authority had informed her about information and details of her lon
stay of 6 years. She also stated that in the certified copy of the note sheet the
stay particulars of officers are provided at column 4, but when she had asked
for details of stay particulars of lady officers, the CPIO had denied the
information with an excuse that they are not available.
6. The Respondent submitted that Appellate Authority had replied on 12.6.09
requesting the Appellant to peruse the available records in SEA section and
that according to him available information has been provided. He also stated
that the Appellant had met the concerned officials of the Public Authority and
she was satisfied with the discussions that took place. The Appellant ,
however, continued to insist that she requires the information sought in the
RTI application. The Respondent then submitted a rejoinder dt.19.8.09 from
the CPIO which stated that data sought is not available in the SEA Section
and is available in the service books of officers . He added that service books
of officers f IPS&TAFS are not maintained in the SEA Section of the DOT Head
Quarters and that they are maintained in different CCA offices which are
spread all over India. In case biodata/service books of the officers working
in CCA offices not available in SEA section information is obtained regarding
stay particulars of the officers from CCA offices.
6. The Commission after hearing both sides holds that the the CPIO, DOT is not
expected to compile the details available in different CCAs and directs him to
forward the RTI request to different CCAs through e-mail requesting them to
provide the information directly to the Appellant , under intimation to him by
20.9.09.
7. The appeal is accordingly disposed of.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian)
Asst. Registrar
Cc:
1. Ms.M.Anita
Jt. Controller
Dept. of Telecommunications
O/o Principal CCA
A.P.Circle
3rd Floor, Triveni Complex
Abids, Hyderabad 500 001
2. Shri Rajeev Kumar
The CPIO &
Director (SEA)
Department of Telecommunications
Sanchar Bhavan, Ashoka Road
New Delhi 110 001
3. Shri P.K.Sinha
The Appellate Authority &
DDG (FEB)
Department of Telecommunications
Sanchar Bhavan, Ashoka Road
New Delhi 110 001
4. Officer in charge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC