Central Information Commission
Samarth Suryavanshi vs Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare on 30 March, 2026
के ीय सू चना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ माग, मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
File No: CIC/MH&FW/A/2025/606588
Samarth Suryavanshi .....अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO
M/O HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE,
MEP SECTION, NIRMAN BHAVAN,
NEW DELHI-110011 .... ितवादीगण /Respondent
Date of Hearing : 27.03.2026
Date of Decision : 30.03.2026
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER : Jaya Varma Sinha
Relevant facts emerging from appeal:
RTI application filed on : 14.10.2024
CPIO replied on : 23.10.2024
First appeal filed on : 02.11.2024
First Appellate Authority's order : 18.11.2024
2nd Appeal dated : 06.02.2025
Information sought:
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 14.10.2024(online) seeking the following information:
"1. Provide a copy of the Gazette notification or any official document recognizing various systems of medicine approved by the Government of India.
2. Provide a copy of the Gazette notification or any official document stating that physiotherapy is a part of Allopathy.CIC/MH&FW/A/2025/606588 Page 1 of 4
3. Provide a copy of the Gazette notification or any official document regarding Dental Science being part of Allopathy.
4. Provide a copy of the Rule/Gazette notification to prefix DR / Doctor by a person possessing a degree of recognized systems of medicines approved by the Government of India."
2. The CPIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 23.10.2024 stating as under:
"As per the recommendations of a Standing Committee of Experts constituted by Minisry of Health and Family Welfare Dr as prefix can be used by practitioners of modern Allopathic system of medicine and recognised traditional systems of medicine viz Homeopathy Ayurveda Unani Siddha and Yoga and Naturopathy."
3. Being dissatisfied, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 02.11.2024. The FAA vide its order dated 18.11.2024, held as under:
"On perusal of records produced before the Appellate Authority, it is found that information was provided to the applicant by the CPIO, Medical Education Policy Section on the basis of letter issued by Department of Health and Research (DHR) dated 25th November, 2003.
The action of the CPIO, MEP appears as a bonafide and there was no action noticed by the undersigned which indicates that the CPIO provided incomplete, misleading or false information. However, since letter dated 25.11.2003 was issued by DHR, CPIO, MEP Section is directed to transfer RTI Application to CPIO, DHR to provide information directly to the applicant Accordingly, first appeal dated 02.11.2024 stands disposed off."
4. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied, Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.
Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:
The following were present:-
Appellant: Present through VC.
Respondent: Absent.
5. The Appellant stated that the Respondent has not provided the relevant information as sought in point No. 1 to 3 of the instant RTI Application. Further the information provided qua point No. 4 of the RTI Application is incomplete CIC/MH&FW/A/2025/606588 Page 2 of 4
6. The Respondent did not participate in the hearing despite service of the hearing notice in advance.
Decision:
7. At the outset, it is noted that the Respondent has neither appeared before the Commission nor has informed the Commission regarding the reason for his/her absence. Thus, the Commission takes grave exception to the absence of the PIO during the hearing despite being served the hearing notice and he/she is admonished for the same.
8. Further, the Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case and perusal of the records, observes that the CPIO has not provided a categorical pointwise reply qua the instant RTI Application to the Appellant. Accordingly, the CPIO is directed to revisit the RTI Application and provided a pointwise reply by furnishing the relevant and available information to the Appellant, within two weeks from the date of receipt of this order. If the Respondent requires assistance from any other office/officer for compliance with the above directions, the same shall be sought by invoking Section 5(4) of RTI Act.
9. The First Appellate Authority to ensure compliance of the directions.
The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Jaya Varma Sinha (जया वमा िस ा) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) Authenticated true copy (अिभ मािणत स ािपत ित) (Ashutosh Vasistha) Dy. Registrar 011- 26107042 CIC/MH&FW/A/2025/606588 Page 3 of 4 Copy To:
The FAA, M/O HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE, MEP SECTION, NIRMAN BHAVAN,NEW DELHI-110011 CIC/MH&FW/A/2025/606588 Page 4 of 4 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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