CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
Room No. 308, B-Wing, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066
File No. CIC/LS/A/2009/001302
Appellant - Shri Jugal Kumar Ekka
Public Authority - Indian Air Force
(through : Wg. Cdr. Sanjeev Bindra)
Date of hearing - 15.02.2010
Date of decision - 15.02.2010
Facts
:-
Vide his letter dated 9.6.2009, the appellant had sought information on four
paras relating to appointment of temporary seasonal anti-malaria lascar of Madan
Mohan Burman and the matters related therewith. The CPIO had responded to it
vide letter dated 28.7.2009. The Appellate Authority had disposed of the matter vide
order dated 26.8.2009.
2. Aggrieved with the above decisions, he has filed the present appeal.
3. Heard on 15.02.2010. Appellant not present. The Public Authority is
represented by the officer named above. I have carefully gone through the orders of
CPIO and the AA. It is noticed that part information has been supplied to the
appellant but some information has been held back on the ground that disclosure
thereof would be prejudicial to the safety and integrity of India in terms of section
8(1)(a) of the RTI Act. During the hearing, Wg. Cdr. Bindra would submit that from
the number of laskars employed in a particular station, it is possible for the enemy to
estimate the deployment of the troops in that area.
DECISION
4. It is, however, to be noted that the information sought is for the year 1994.
Much water has flown down the Brahmputra since then. It is one thing to deny
information on the ground that it is not available because of records having been
weeded out, it is quite another thing to claim national security as a ground for
denying information. In my view, national security cannot be a ground for denial of
information in the matter in hand. If requested information is available with the
Public Authority, it should be disclosed to the appellant in 04 weeks time.
5. The matter is decided accordingly.
Sd/- (M.L. Sharma)
Central Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy. Additional copies of orders shall be supplied against
application and payment of the charges, prescribed under the Act, to the CPIO of this
Commission.
(K.L. Das)
Assistant Registrar
Address of parties :-
1. The Wing Commander & CPIO,
Eastern Air Command, IAF,
Public Information Cell, HQs,
Nonglyer, Shillong-793009.
2. Shri Jugal Kumar Ekka,
Flat No.1-B, 17/1, Jogendra Garden,
Kolkata-700078.