Central Information Commission
*****
No.CIC/OK/A/2008/00259
Dated: 29 August 2008
Name of the Appellant : Shri Ahmedali Shaikh
Sarvodaya Residence I
B 1 Wing, Flat No.103
1st Floor, Kalyan (W), Thane, 421301
Name of the Public Authority : Ministry of Railways
Background:
Shri Ahmedali Shaikh of Kalyan filed an RTI-application with the Public
Information Officer, Ministry of Railways, on 3 September 2007, seeking
information regarding the expenditure and maintenance of the Mega Blocks.
2. The PIO vide his letter dated 10 October 2007 replied to the RTI-
application. Not satisfied with the reply of the PIO, the Appellant filed an
appeal with the first Appellate Authority on 12 October 2007 who vide his letter
dated 29 October 2007 replied to it. Thereafter, the Appellant approached the
Central Information Commission with a Second Appeal on 7 January 2008.
3. The Bench of Dr. O.P. Kejariwal, Information Commissioner, heard the
matter on 22 August 2008.
4. Shri Kamal Jain, Sr. DCM & CPIO, Shri P.K. Singh, OSD (S) & Appellate
Authority and Shri V. Chandra Shekhar, PRO (Hq), represented the Respondents.
5. The Appellant, Shri Ahmedali Shaikh, was neither present nor send any
representative for the hearing.
Decision:
6. The Commission heard both the sides: the Appellant through audio
conference and noted that basically, the issue revolved around the Appellant’s
query regarding the expenditure and maintenance of the Mega Blocks. On
receiving the Respondent’s response, the Appellant asked for some more
clarifications through his First Appeal which also were provided by the
Appellant. However, the Appellant approached this Commission with further
queries regarding the same subject. Instead of the Respondents giving replies
to these clarifications in writing and the Appellant again asking for still further
queries, the Commission directs the Respondents to call the Appellant to the
office and discuss over the table and supply all the information asked for by the
Appellant. Whatever needs to be stated in writing should be done so after
discussions with the Appellant. As this is an issue of public concern, the
Commission would like the Respondents to take up the matter seriously and see
to it that all the aspects of the issue raised by the Appellant are covered. This
may be done by 6 October 2008.
7. The Compliance of this Order may be conveyed by phone or through post
by 10 October 2008.
Sd/-
(O.P. Kejariwal)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
Sd/-
(G. Subramanian)
Assistant Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri Ahmedali Shaikh, Sarvodaya Residence I, B 1 Wing, Flat No.103, 1st
Floor, Kalyan (W), Thane, 421301
2. The Public Information Officer, Central Railway, Divisional Railway
Manager’s Office, Commercial Branch, CST, Mumbai
3. The Appellate Authority, Central Railway, Divisional Railway Manager’s
Office, Commercial Branch, CST, Mumbai
4. Officer Incharge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC