Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/2009/001620
Dated February 16, 2010
Name of the Applicant : Shri Sanjit Kumar Yadav
Name of the Public Authority : Ministry of Railways
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.20.3.09with the PIO, Railway Board
requesting for information against 8 points including the attested copies of educational
certificates of substitutes engaged by the Railways from the year 2006. Shri
R.D.Choudhury, CPIO-I replied on 13.4.09 enclosing point wise information furnished
by Shri Ravi Sekhar vide his note dt.12.4.09. Not satisfied with the reply, the
Applicant filed an appeal dt.8.5.09 with the Appellate Authority. Shri A.K.Nigam,
replied on 8.6.09 enclosing the information furnished by Shri Ravi Shekhar vide his
note dt.3.6.09. Being aggrieved with the reply, applicant filed a second appeal
dt.14.7.09 before CIC.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing
for February 16, 2010
3. Shri R.D.Choudhury, Executive Director and Shri Koshy Thomas, Joint Director
represented the Public Authority.
4. The Appellant was present during the hearing.
Decision
5. The Respondent, Shri Choudhury submitted that more than 1000 substitutes have
been engaged during the period mentioned by the Appellant and compiling the
information sought would disproportionately divert the resources of the Public
Authority. The Appellant on the other hand insisted that he be provided the with the
educational qualifications of all the employees (substitutes) as sought by him in the
RTI application.
6. The Commission directs the PIO to transfer the RTI application to PIO, Northern
Railway, Baroda House, who is the custodian of the information and directs the PIO,
Northern Railway HQ to allow only the Appellant to inspect all the files (in respect of
substitutes) over a period of 3 days so that he can pull out the educational certificates
from the files for himself . The PIO to provide attested copies of the certificates to the
Appellant and the Appellant to place the certificates back in the flies in the light of the
Respondent’s contention that there is a dearth of manpower to undertake the
compilation. Information to be provided by 30 March, 2010, free of cost.
7. The appeal is accordingly disposed of.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri Sanjit Kumar Yadav
Vill + Post – Nagarnosa
Nalanda
Bihar
2. The PIO
Ministry of Railways
O/o Ex. Director (N) & CPIO-I
Railway Board
Rail Bhawan
New Delhi
3. The Appellate Authority
Ministry of Railways
O/o Adviser(IR)
Railway Board
Rail Bhawan
New Delhi
4. Officer incharge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC