Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/2009/001367
Dated November 5, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Shri Nandlal Raikwar
Name of the Public Authority : BSNL, Jhansi
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.16.4.09 with the PIO, BSNL,
Jhansi stating that he had retired on 31.12.08 and that on the same
day, he had requested for the category of his telephone No.273838 to
be changed. However, the Divisional Engineer (Phones), Lalitpur
instead of changing the category completely disconnected the line. He
stated that no retiring officer till date has had his telephone connection
disconnected in this manner. He requested for full information in this
regard. He also wanted information about his request for broadband
connection and also the details regarding calculation of pension. He
also sought information about the names of the officers who were
responsible for not restoring his Broadband connection on his personal
telephone number 274848. The PIO replied on 14.5.09 furnishing
point wise information. The Applicant filed an appeal dt.13.6.09 with
the Appellate Authority stating that he is satisfied with the information
provided against points 3 and 4 and commenting on the information
against the information provided against the remaining points and
requesting the Appellate Authority to ensure that his phone connection
is restored. The Appellate Authority replied on 12.8.09 informing him
that the phone connection is always disconnected in the case of retired
officers as per rules since there is no provision for continuing such
connection for those who are not in service and that only on the
receipt of a fresh application from the retiree and after ensuring that
all formalities are completed that a new connection is given under
RSTC. He also added that the Applicant had been requested several
times to complete the formalities for RSTC connection but no
cooperation was extended by the Applicant because of which the
connection could not be provided. Being aggrieved with this reply, the
Applicant filed a second appeal dt.10.9.09 before CIC stating that the
PIO and AA have provided contradictory information. He also stated
that clarification related to submission of PPO for the new connection
were not enclosed in the AA’s reply dt.12.8.09.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner,
scheduled the hearing for November 5, 2009.
3. Shri C.D.Verma, PIO and Shri Vinod Singh, SDE represented the Public
Authority.
4. The Applicant was heard through audio conference.
Decision
5. The Respondent submitted that the telephone connection No.273838
was disconnected as per rules, once the Appellant retired from service
and that it can be provided under RSTC only after he submits the
application in a proper proforma along with the pension payment order
and that the Appellant has not submitted the same despite several
reminders. He added that the PPO was sought only to ensure that the
telephone has been provided to him by the Public Authority. The
Appellant who was heard over phone submitted that he had already
furnished the necessary documents. The Respondent assured him that
the temporary connection already given to him would be regularized
as soon as the documents are received and the Appellant was
satisfied with this assurance. To the Commission’s query as to what
happened to the complaint about the noise on the Broadband
connection against telephone No.274848; the Respondent informed
the Commission that the Appellant had already admitted in his first
appeal that the same was restored on 1.5.09.
6. The Commission on observing that the Appellant’s grievances have
been redressed, accordingly disposes off the appeal.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian)
Asst. Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri Nandlal Raikwar
#1039, Nehru Nagar
Lalitpur 284 403
2. The CPIO
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
O/o General Manager Telecom District
Jhansi 284 001
3. The Appellate Authority
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
O/o General Manager Telecom District
Jhansi 284 001
4. Officer incharge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC