Central Information Commission
V Madhavan vs Directorate General Defence Estates ... on 19 May, 2023
Author: Vanaja N Sarna
Bench: Vanaja N Sarna
क ीय सुचना आयोग
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
बाबा गंगनाथ माग
Baba Gangnath Marg
मुिनरका,
नरका नई द ली - 110067
Munirka, New Delhi-110067
File no.: CIC/DIGDE/C/2022/651698
In the matter of
V Madhavan
... Complainant
VS
CPIO
O/o the Defence Estates Officer,
Madras Circle, 306, Anna Salai, Teynampet,
Chennai - 600018
... Respondent
RTI application filed on : 01/05/2022 CPIO replied on : 24/06/2022 First appeal filed on : 06/06/2022
First Appellate Authority order : Not on record Complaint filed on : 23/09/2022 Date of Hearing : 18/05/2023 Date of Decision : 18/05/2023 The following were present:
Complainant : Present over VC alongwith Vasudevan Respondent: M.Murugan, DEO and CPIO, present over VC Information Sought:
The Complainant has sought the following information:
1. Provide a copy of the Standard Table of Rent in respect of Wellington Cantonment applicable to sites for agricultural purposes effective from 01.01.2020.
2. Provide a copy of the Standard Table of Rent in respect of Wellington Cantonment applicable to sites for non-agricultural purposes effective from 01.01.2020.
3. Rule 8 of Cantonments Land Administration Rule 1937 mandates the preparation of Standard Table of Rent suitable for application to sites for 1 agricultural purposes and non-agricultural purposes. Provide copy of corrections / amendments and/or alterations, if any, to the said rule.
Grounds for Complaint The CPIO did not provide the desired information. Submissions made by Complainant and Respondent during Hearing:
The complainant's representative submitted that information sought in respect of the relevant period was not provided. The CPIO reiterated the written submissions dated 12.05.2023. He explained that the STR for the period from 01.01.2020, had been pending with the District Collector for approval, due to the corona pandemic and it is clarified that, till the new STR comes into force, the old STR prevails. The Collector approved the new STR on 30.08.2022. Observations:
Based on a perusal of the record, it was noted that the CPIO vide letter dated 24.06.2022 replied to the appellant and stated in respect of point no. (a) the standard table rent in respect of Wellington Cantonment for the period with effect from 01.01.2020. In respect of point no. (b) the CPIO replied that the Cantonment Land Administration Rules 1937 has been superseded by the Cantonment Land Administration Rules 2021 dated 01.12.2021 and published in the gazette vide no. 19 dated 02.12.2021. The copy of the same is available on the website of www.dgde.gov.in.
The Commission observed that no copy as sought for was provided on point no. (a). Moreover, point no. (c) was not replied to, so the CPIO was therefore asked to explain, to which he reiterated the written submissions dated 12.05.2023.
Decision:
As per admission of the CPIO, the new STR came into force on 30.08.2022 and therefore, he volunteered to provide a revised reply with the copies of the new STRs on the points related to the 2 STRs asked for within 7 days from the date of receipt of this order.
The CPIO is cautioned to be careful in future and provide suitable complete replies on time.
The complaint is disposed of accordingly.
वनजा एन.
Vanaja N. Sarna (वनजा एन सरना) सरना सूचना आयु ) Information Commissioner (सू 2 Authenticated true copy (अिभ मािणत स यािपत ित) A.K. Assija (ऐ.के . असीजा) Dy. Registrar (उप-पंजीयक) 011- 26182594 / दनांक / Date 3