Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/C/2009/001569
Dated January 20, 2010
Name of the Applicant : Shri Rajneesh Madhok
Name of the Public Authority : Northern Railway, Firozpur
Background
1. The applicant filed an RTI application dt.13.7.09 with the PIO, DRM Office, NR,
Ferozpur. He stated that he went to Phagwara Railway Station for refund of his ticket
and got refund after two and half hours wait due to the malpractices being adopted by
the booking clerks. He also added that Reservation Counter Booking clerks have
created a new way to extort money from the passengers at Phagwara Railway Station
Booking counter and also explained in detail the modus operandi adopted by them. In
this context, he requested for information against 27 points including copy of rules
under which the Railway Reservation counter clerk is authorized to accept requisition
slips of booking and cancellation from back door The PIO replied on 18.8.09 furnishing
point wise information. Not satisfied with the reply, the applicant filed an appeal
dt.3.9.09 with the Appellate Authority. On not receiving any reply from the Appellate
Authority, he filed a second appeal dt.22.10.09 before CIC stating that the PIO has
dodged him the appellant by putting a back date on the reply to the RTI application.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing
for January 20, 2010.
3. Shri Giridhar Singh, PIO and Shri P.C.Dude, Deemed PIO represented the Public
Authority.
4. The appellant was heard through audio conferencing.
Decision
5. In response to the Appellant’s complaint that the IO has deliberately back dated his
reply to the RTI application, the respondents produced the letter dt.18.9.09 written
by the Appellate Authority informing the applicant that the letter dt.18.8.09 (by the
PIO ) was signed on 26.8.09 and dispatched on 27.8.09 and furnished photocopies of
the dispatch register in order to prove that the letter was not backdated.
6. The Commission on review of the information provided and after hearing the
submissions made directs the PIO to provide the missing information in respect of
points 8 and 27 while holding that information against remaining points has been
provided. The information should reach the appellant by 20.2.10.
7. The appeal is accordingly disposed of.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri Rajneesh Madhok
B-XXX-63, Nehru Nagar
Street No.2, Railway Road
Phagwara
2. The PIO
Northern Railway
Divisional Railway Manager’s Office
Ferozpur Division
Ferozpur
3. Officer incharge, NIC
4. Press E Group, CIC