CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
Room No. 308, B-Wing, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066
File No.CIC/SM/C/2009/000984/LS
Appellant : Shri Raguvir Prasad Mathur
Public Authority : DRDO
(through Shri K. Vijaynan, Joint Director;
Shri S.S. Bundela, Scientist-E & Lt Col K.
Sudhakar, Estate Manager)
Date of Hearing : 17.11.2009
Date of Decision : 17.11.2009
FACTS
:
By his letter of 2.2.2009, the appellant had sought information
on 05 paras regarding Appollo DRDO Hospital at Hyderabad. The
CPIO had refused to disclose information vide letter dated 19.3.2009
on the ground that DRDO is an exempted organisation. The
Appellate Authority had disposed of the first appeal vide order dated
12.5.2009. The operative para thereof is reproduced below :-
“(a) Copy of amended second schedule is enclosed.
(b) Your application dated 02 Feb 2009 was received at HQ on 11
Fev 2009. The same forwarded to many agencies to get the
relevant information these replies were reviewed by this HQ
and suitable reply was forward to you on 19 Mar 2009.
(c) As per records, AHEL is not a joint venture and no
direct/indirect funding from any Govt. authority/DRDO is
being given for running the hospital. The building and
infrastructure facilities are only provided by DRDO. Apollo-
DRDO hospital maintains its own accounts and patient data
and DRDO does not have any role in this regard.”
2. The present appeal is directed against the orders of the
CPIO/AA.
3. Heard on 17.11.2009. Appellant not present. The public
authority is represented by the officers named above. I am of the
opinion that even though the DRDO is an exempt organisation u/s 24
of the RTI Act, the information sought by the appellant is not
exempted from disclosure. The Appellate Authority has, therefore,
wisely disclosed some information to the appellant vide letter referred
to above. During the hearing Col Sudhakar would submit that DRDO
has given the hospital and residential buildings to the Appollo
Hospital on lease cum licence basis and it has no role in the
management of the hospital.
INTERIM DECISION
4. Col K.Sudhakar is directed to provide the following
information to the Commission :-
(i) copy of the order regarding the construction of the hospital
premises and other connected buildings presently leased out to
AHEL;
(ii) total amount spent on the construction;
(iii) annual licence fee being paid by AHEL to DRDO.
(iv) nature of facilities being provided by AHEL to the DRDO
officers and staff.
5. The above information may be sent to the Commission in 04
weeks time and a copy thereof also sent to the appellant.
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.
(D.C. Singh)
Under Secretary & Assistant Registrar
Address of parties :-
1. Shri K. Vijayana
Joint Director,
Defence Research & Deve. Org,
(C-Tec), DRDO Bhawan,
New Delhi-110105
2. Shri Raghuvir Prasad Mathur
H. No. 4-177, Plot No. 17,
Phase-II, Sri Satya Sai Nagar,
Jillelguda Ranga Reddy,
Hyderabad-500079