Central Information Commission
Mr. Bharat Singh vs Central Vigilance Commission on 2 August, 2011
Central Information Commission, New Delhi
File No.CIC/WB/A/2010/000195SM
Right to Information Act2005Under Section (19)
Date of hearing : 2 August 2011
Date of decision : 2 August 2011
Name of the Appellant : Shri Bharat Singh
G95A, Vijay Nagar,
Ghaziabad, UP.
Name of the Public Authority : CPIO, Central Vigilance Commission,
Satarkta Bhawan, GPO Complex,
Block A, INA, New Delhi - 110 023.
The Appellant was not present in spite of notice.
On behalf of the Respondent, the following were present:
(i) Shri J. Vinod Kumar, OSD & CPIO,
(ii) Shri Prashant Kumar Singh, Research Officer
Chief Information Commissioner : Shri Satyananda Mishra
2. In spite of notice, the Appellant did not turn up during the hearing. The Respondents were present and we heard their submissions.
3. The Appellant had wanted to know some details about the procedure to be followed in appointment of enquiry officers on contract basis. The CPIO had informed him about the instructions issued by the CVC in this regard and enclosed a copy of its OM dated 25 March 2003. The Appellate Authority had endorsed the information provided by the CPIO. CIC/WB/A/2010/000195
4. In the second appeal, the Appellant has expressed his dissatisfaction over the information provided to him although he has not explained why he finds the information unsatisfactory.
5. We carefully examined the reply sent by the CPIO in response to the RTI request. The queries of the Appellant were in regard to the procedure to be followed in appointing enquiry officers on contract basis and the period for which such appointments could be made. From the OM forwarded by the CPIO along with his reply, it appears that the CVC, in supersession of its past orders, had laid down certain norms for appointment of enquiry officers from outside the government; but this OM does not specify the time period for which such appointments could be made. However, the OM clearly directs the organisations to lay down the clearcut guidelines for appointment of enquiry officers, that is, leaving it to them to prescribe other terms and conditions including the period of such appointments.
6. Under the right to information, a citizen has a right to get copies of relevant records and documents from the public authority. In this case, the CPIO has forwarded him the copy of the relevant order of the CVC on the subject under consideration, namely, appointment of enquiry officers from outside. Other than this, the CPIO is not expected to provide any explanation or interpretation. Thus, we do not see any particular shortcoming in the information already provided.
7. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
8. Copies of this order be given free of cost to the parties. CIC/WB/A/2010/000195 (Satyananda Mishra) Chief Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy. Additional copies of orders shall be supplied against application and payment of the charges prescribed under the Act to the CPIO of this Commission.
(Vijay Bhalla) Deputy Registrar CIC/WB/A/2010/000195