Central Information Commission
*****
No.CIC/OK/C/2008/00459
Dated: 6 January 2009
Name of the Complainant : Shri Ved Prakash
Retd. AEE/C/NR
House No.1464
Sector 44-B, Chandigarh, 160047
Name of the Public Authority : Northern Railway
Background:
Shri Ved Prakash of Chandigarh filed an RTI-application with the Public
Information Officer, Northern Railway, New Delhi, on 16 November 2007 seeking
information relating to the Applicant’s grievance about his payment of pension
and gratuity, etc.
2. The PIO vide his letter dated 19 December 2007 replied to the RTI-
application. Not satisfied with the reply of the PIO, the Appellant filed an
appeal with the first Appellate Authority on 17 January 2008 who vide his letter
dated 18 February 2008 replied to it. Thereafter, the Applicant approached the
Central Information Commission with a complaint on 30 April 2008.
3. The Bench of Dr. O.P. Kejariwal, Information Commissioner, heard the
matter on 30 December 2008.
4. Shri Ravindra Kumar, DGM/Law & PIO and Shri R.S. Rawat, APO,
represented the Respondents.
5. The Complainant, Shri Ved Prakash, was present through audio
conference.
Decision:
6. The Commission heard both the sides: the Appellant through audio
conference and noted that the RTI-application was basically related to the
Applicant’s grievance about the payment of his pension and gratuity, etc. In
response, the Respondents stated that basically the application related to the
administrative grievances of the Applicant for which the RTI was not a forum for
redressal. They added that, however “if the Applicant wants, he may inspect
the record available with the Department on any working day with prior
intimation”. During the hearing, it was apparent that the Appellant had not
received a copy of these Orders. The Commission, therefore, directs the
Respondents to immediately despatch a copy through registered/speed post to
the Appellant giving him an opportunity to fix up a time mutually convenient
and inspect the records. He will be authorized to get photocopies of whatever
documents that he wants free of cost. This may be done by 15 January 2009.
7. During the hearing, the Appellant complained to the Commission that the
records regarding the promotion of his junior were not made available to him.
The Respondents, on the other hand, stated that these records had been
weeded out. If so, they should provide to the Appellant a copy of the standing
rules under which the records have been destroyed.
8. The case is thus disposed of.
(O.P. Kejariwal)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(G. Subramanian)
Assistant Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri Ved Prakash, Retd. AEE/C/NR, House No.1464, Sector 44-B,
Chandigarh, 160047
2. The Public Information Officer, Northern Railway, Headquarters Office,
Baroda House, New Delhi
3. Officer Incharge, NIC
4. Press E Group, CIC