Central Information Commission
Room No. 5, Club Building, Near Post Office
Old J.N.U. Campus, New Delhi - 110067
Tel No: 26161997,
Case No. CIC/ WB/A/2009/000566
Name of the Appellant : Shri J. Sandhya
Name of the Public Authority : Registrar General of India
BACKGROUND
:
Vide RTI application dated 14.10.2008 Shri J. Sandhya (hereinafter referred to
as the appellant) had sought the following information from the respondent:-
What was the population of Dhoba Community as per the Census of Indian held
in 1971 and thereafter, in the State of:
a) West Bengal
b) Orissa
c) Maharashtra.
The CPIO-DD, RGI provided complete information about the Dhoba, Dhobi
Community in West Bengal and Orissa from the Census 1971 upto Census 2001. The
CPIO also informed the appellant that the population in respect of Maharashtra is not
available because it is not listed either as SC or ST in the State. Not satisfied with the
reply the appellant filed an appeal before the Joint Registrar and the First Appellate
Authority (FAA). The FAA vide his letter dated 9.3.2009 replied as follows:
“Please refer to your first appeal application seeking population of Dhoba sub-
tribe under Gond listed at Sl.No.18 in the Scheduled Tribe list of Maharashtra.
As you have also pointed out ‘Dhoba’ is notified under the main tribe ‘Gond’
along with other sub-tribes in Maharashtra as Scheduled Tribe. In the decennial census
population of the main tribe is provided including all the sub-tribes notified. Separate
population of each of the sub-tribe to not tabulated.
In view of above, it is not possible to provide the population of ‘Dhoba’
separately. However, the population of individual ST ‘Gond’ etc., listed at Sl.No.18 in
the ST’s list of Maharashtra during 1971 Census to 2001 Census are given for your
information:-
Census Year Total population of 'Gond', Rajgond, Arakh, Arrakh etc.
in Maharashtra State
1971 3,31,798
1981 11,62,735
1991 14,42,986
2001 15,54,894"
Not satisfied with the replies of the CPIO and FAA, the appellant filed second appeal
before the Commission submitting that the information furnished by FAA is factually
incorrect because in Entry 18 of the Second Schedule of the SC/ST (Amendment) Act,
1976, Dhoba is deemed to be a separate Tribe by itself. The appellant has further
requested to give directions to the respondent to provide him the population of Dhoba
in the State of Maharashtra for the Census 1971 to 2001.
2. The matter was heard on 10.12.2009.
3. The appellant was present.
4. Dr. P.C. Coomar, Jt. Dir and Dr. Dipak Roy, Dy. Registrar represented the
respondent.
5. During the hearing the appellant insisted on getting information on the
population of the Dhoba Community as per the Census of India held in 1971 and
thereafter in the State of Maharashtra. The respondent on the other hand stated that
the FAA in his reply dated 9.3.2009 has given complete and factual information to the
appellant. They reiterated that “Dhoba” is notified under the main tribe ‘Gond’
alongwith other sub-tribes in Maharashtra as Scheduled Tribe. Separate population of
each of the sub-tribes is not tabulated, in view of which it is not possible to provide
the population of Dhoba separately.
DECISION:
6. I find that complete factual information has been provided by the FAA vide his
order dated 9.3.2009. The appellant had only sought to know the population of Dhoba
Community in Maharashtra. Since the population of each sub-tribe has not been
tabulated it is therefore not held by the public authority, hence the same cannot be
provided to the appellant.
7. The matter is disposed of on the part of the Commission. Copies of the decision
be given free of cost to the parties.
(Sushma Singh)
Information Commissioner
10.12.2009
Authenticated true copy:
(P.C. Purkait)
S.O. & Asst. Registrar
Copy to:
1. Sh. J. Sandhya, 0-10/5, New Airport Colony, Vile Parle (East) post, Sahar,
Mubabi-99.
2. Sh. S.L. Jain, Dy. Director & CPIO (SS Div.) O/o the Registrar General India,
Govt. of India, M/o Home Affairs, Social Studies Division, North Wing, First
Floor, Sewa Bhawan, New Delhi-110066
3. Sh. C. Chakarvorty, Jt. Director & Appellate Authority, O/o the Registrar
General, India Govt. of India, M/o Home Affairs, 2A Mansingh Road, New
Delhi-110011