In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/000573
Date of Hearing : May 18, 2011
Date of Decision : May 18, 2011
Parties:
Applicant
Ms.Prabha Verma
A208, Rajajipuram
Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh
The Applicant was represented by Shri Ashok Kumar Tripathi who was heard through audio.
Respondents
The Public Information Officer
Ministry of Railways
Joint Secretary (G) & PIOII
Railway Board
Rail Bhawan
New Delhi
Represented by : Shri Rakesh Kumar, S.O(RTI)
Information Commissioner : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
___________________________________________________________________
Decision Notice
As given in the decision
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/000573
ORDER
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI Application dt.25.8.10 with the PIO, Railway Board seeking information
against nine points including the action taken on her complaint dt.15.7.10 addressed to CRB and
other miscellaneous information related to Northern Railway, Lucknow. Shri S.K.Singh, APIOII
replied on 17.9.10 stating that the application has been referred to the concerned Directorate for
providing response and as soon as the same is made available, it will be conveyed. On not receiving
any further reply, the Applicant filed an appeal dt.8.11.10 before CIC reiterating her request for the
information and on still not receiving any reply, she filed a second appeal dt.4.1.11 before CIC.
Decision
2. During the hearing, the Respondent submitted that on 8.9.10 the PIO had checked with the office of
the CRB who vide their note dt.9.9.10 informed him that the complaint dt.15.7.10 had not been
received in their office. The Appellant who was heard over the phone submitted that his complaint
had indeed been received in the CRB office and that the office has acknowledged its receipt. With
regard to remaining, the Respondent submitted that the matter pertains to Northern Railway,
Lucknow and hence the RTI application was transferred to Northern Railway HQ on 7.10.10 . The
Appellant, however, denied having received any information from the Lucknow office.
3. The Commission after hearing both sides directs the Appellant to provide a copy of the receipt as
well as a copy of the complaint dt.15.7.10 to the PIO, Railway Board within 10 days of receipt of this
Order. It is recommended that the PIO take action on the complaint at the earliest. The PIO is also
directed to conduct an enquiry into the matter of the missing complaint on receipt of the proof of
receipt, from the Appellant and to take appropriate disciplinary action on the official found
responsible for such a lapse and to inform the Appellant on the action taken against the official.
With regard to the rest of the queries, the Commission directs the PIO, Northern Railway, Lucknow to
provide point wise information to the Appellant by 18.6.11 and the Appellant to submit a compliance
report to the Commission by 25.6.11.
4. The Commission directs the PIO, Railway Board to also explain the delay n transferring the RTI
application to Northern Railway, HQ. He may submit his response separately to the Commission
by 25.6.11.
5. The appeal is disposed of with the above directions.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Ms.Prabha Verma
A208, Rajajipuram
Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh
2. The Public Information Officer
Ministry of Railways
O/o Joint Secretary (G) and PIOII
Railway Board
Rail Bhawan
New Delhi
3. The Appellate Authority
Ministry of Railways
O/o the Adviser (Staff)
Railway Board
Rail Bhawan
New Delhi
4. The PIO
Northern Railway
Headquarter Office
Baroda House
New Delhi
5. The PIO
Northern Railway
Divisional Railway Manager’s Office
Lucknow Division
Lucknow
6. Officer in charge, NIC