New Delhi: The Municipal Corporation of
Delhi has received flak from the Central Information
Commission for its failure to provide information to an RTI
applicant and claiming otherwise.
The curious case came before the Central Information
Commission where an MCD official, when questioned by
Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi during the hearing,
said information sought by the applicant has been furnished.
When grilled, the official Jagdish Prasad, produced a
reply which said, "Since this information is time consuming
the department may prepare the information, as and when report
will be compiled and it will be provided to you as early as
possible".
Such a reply prompted a stern warning from Gandhi.
"The Commission warns the PIO not to send people for
hearings who do not have the capacity of understanding what
information is," he said.
The case relates to one Swarn Kumari Sharma of Karol Bagh
who was trying for last one year to know details of Assured
Career Progression scheme of teachers in MCD schools but was
not provided any response to her questions.
The RTI Act mandates furnishing of information within a
month of application.
"From the facts before the Commission, it is apparent
that the PIO and the deemed PIO are guilty of not furnishing
information within the time specified under sub-section (1) of
Section 7 by not replying within 30 days, as per the
requirement of the RTI Act," Gandhi said while issuing
showcause notice to officials of the MCD.
"Mrs Vijaylaxmi then PIO and Deemed PIO Mr Jagdish
Prasad, School Inspector will present themselves before the
Commission...alongwith their written submissions showing cause
why penalty should not be imposed on them as mandated under
Section 20 (1)," he said.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, December 25, 2011, 11:24