Shri Ram Niwas Gupta filed an RTI application dt.26.9.08 with the PIO, DoP, Munger requesting for information against 5 points related to the action taken on his complaints dt.7.2.08 and 10.5.08 besides details about his savings account. On not receiving any reply, the Applicant filed a complaint dt.29.11.08 with the State Information Commission, Patna who in turn transferred the case to CIC which was registered on 16.6.09. The CIC vide its order dt.25.9.09 directed the PIO to provide information to the Complainant by 30.10.09 and also to respond to the showcause notice issued by the Commission for the delay in furnishing of information, by 5.11.09.
The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for November 13, 2009. Both the Complainant and the Respondents were not present during the hearing.
Decision
The Commission directs the PIO to provide all the information by 15.12.09. The Commission observed that the Respondent had not provided any explanation to the showcause notice and accordingly decided to impose a penalty on the designated PIO at the time of filing of the RTI application by the Complainant. Accordingly, a penalty of Rs.25,000/- is imposed on the designated PIO and the same will be paid by him in 5 equal monthly installments, the amount to be recovered from the salary payable to the official. The first installment of Rs.5000/- should reach the Commission by 10th January 2010 and the last by 10 May, 2010. The Demand Draft should be addressed to Shri G.Subramanian, Under Secretary & Asst. Registrar, Central Information Commission, Club Building, Old JNU Campus, New Delhi 110 067. The Complainant is directed to inform the Commission on reciet of the information by 20.12.09. The complaint is disposed off with above directions.
CIC Decision No CIC/AD/C/2009/000559 dated 13.11.2009
