Central Information Commission
Prof.J.Laxminarayan J. Rathi vs Central Railway, Mumbai on 10 June, 2009
Central Information Commission
CIC/OK/A/09/000130-AD
Dated June 10, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Prof.J.Laxminarayan J. Rathi
Name of the Public Authority : Central Railway, Mumbai
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.28.4.08 with the CPIO, CR, Mumbai.
He requested for information related to the revenue received from passengers in the form of penalty at Lokmanya Kurla T.Station for traveling in sleeper class without sleeper class ticket for all trains for the period 1.3.08 to 30.4.08 along with certified copies of all above information. The CPIO in his reply dated 13.6.08 stated that no sleeper class charges were collected from passengers for traveling in SL class, without sleeper ticket by the ticket checking staff of Lokmanya Tilak Terminal Station on that particular day. Not satisfied with the reply, the Applicant filed an appeal dt.10.7.08 with the Appellate Authority stating that the information given is misleading and that he had personally seen that TTEs collecting penalty charges. The Appellate Authority in his reply dt.8.9.08 stated that the station staff of LTT are manning the exit points and have detected cases of irregular travel, but they do not check passengers on board the train in sleeper class coaches. However, there are ticket checking batches who move in the trains and detect passengers traveling in sleeper class coaches with ordinary tickets, who are charged with difference of fare along with penalty if there is no berth available in the train and also they are treated as passengers without tickets. Aggrieved with this reply, the Applicant filed a second appeal dt.27.10.08 before the CIC requesting the Commission to provide copies of receipt book from 1.3.08 to 30.4.08.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for June 10, 2009.
3. Mr. Kamal Jain, Sr. DCM, CR, Mumbai cum CPIO and Mr. S.R. Tawde, Law Asstt. represented the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant has sent a fax expressing his inability to attend the hearing.
Decision
5. The Respondents stated that they had provided complete information and that there is no further information available with them on records. The Commission noted that in the second appeal the Appellant has requested for the receipt books from 1.3.08 to 30.4.08 and holds that this is additional information being sought at the stage of second appeal and has not been sought in the RTI request. The Commission suggests that the Appellant file a fresh RTI application for the copies of the receipt books. Also on review of the information provided, the Commission observed that available information has been furnished to the Appellant.
6. The appeal is accordingly disposed of.
(Annapurna Dixit) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy:
(G. Subramanian) Asst. Registrar Cc:
1. Prof.Laxminarayan J.Rathi S-21, Ganganagar Old Wahim Naka Akola 444 002
2. The PIO Central Railway Divisional Railway Manager's Office Commercial Branch, CST Mumbai
3. The Appellate Authority Central Railway Divisional Railway Manager's Office Commercial Branch, CST Mumbai
4. Officer incharge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC