Central Information Commission
Mr.Moolchand Aggarwal vs Ministry Of Petroleum And Natural Gas on 30 January, 2014
Central Information Commission
Room No. 305, 2nd Floor, 'B' Wing, August Kranti Bhavan,
Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi110066
Web: www.cic.gov.in Tel No: 26167931
Case No. CIC/LS/A/2013/001503SS
January 30, 2014
Appellant : Shri Moolchand Agrawal
Respondents : Indian Oil Corporation Limited
Date of Hearing : 30.01.2014
ORDER
The present appeal, filed by Shri Moolchand Agrawal against Indian Oil Corporation Limited, was taken up for hearing on 30.01.2014 when the Respondents were present through Shri S. Dutt, CM /LPGS, Shri Umesh Bisht, Sr. I S Manager and Shri Abhishek Kumar, Law Officer. The Appellant was present in person.
2. The Appellant through an RTI application dated 23.02.2013 sought information against 9 points in respect of a gas agency, namely, M/s Gulawati Gas Service, Gulawati, Bulandsahar. This application included queries, such as details [like, name of customer, connection number, date of allotment, S V No.; telephone No., address etc.] of allotment of 'double bottle connections' (DBC) for a specific CIC/LS/A/2013/001503SS Page 1 of 5 2 period; details of total gas cylinders issued during 01.09.2012 to 31.01.2013; copies of bills and invoices for the period from 01.09.2012 to 31.01.2013; copy of GDB file and so on.
3. The CPIO vide his letter dated 26.03.2013 furnished pointwise reply/information to the Appellant. He however denied the information in respect of point No. 9 to the Appellant citing exemption under section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. In this point the Appellant wanted to obtain copy of GDB file available with gas agency.
4. Dissatisfied with the reply of the CPIO, the Appellant filed an appeal dated 22.04.2013 before the Appellate Authority.
5. The Appellant however, did not receive any response from the Appellate Authority and thus filed the present appeal before the Commission.
6. During the hearing, the Appellant states that in response to point No. 1 of his RTI application, the Respondents had allowed him to inspect the records at the office of above mentioned gas agency, but did not provide copies of pages (around 17 in number) requested by him from the inspected records. He also, while suspecting allotment of some fake connections, insists on receiving the identity proof of the customers submitted to the gas agency at the time of seeking gas connection. He also alleges that the details of consumer shown on the portal of the pubic authority do not reflect the correct position. According to him, very often the date of delivery shown on the portal varies from the actual date of delivery. The Respondents states that they are willing to provide copies of documents the Appellant wants to obtain in point No. 1. They also have no problem in allowing the 2 inspection of complete documents to the Appellant, as sought by him in his present RTI application, available at gas agency, barring few which contain information relating to personal information of third party, like, identity proof etc. as it would attract exemption under section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.
7. Having heard the submissions above and perused the records, the Commission hereby directs the CPIO (as agreed) to arrange the inspection of records for the Appellant on a mutually convenient date and time at the office of the gas agency. After inspection the Appellant may also be provided with photocopies of documents, which he may identify from the inspected records on payment of the requisite fee. However, the information like identity proof of customer etc. shall not be given to the Appellant as it falls under the exemption category of section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act being personal information of third party, disclosure of which may cause unwarranted invasion of privacy of third party. The CPIO is also directed to furnish copies of 17 pages the Appellant had identified after inspection of records related to point No. 1 of his RTI application.
8. As for the Appellant's complaint regarding display of incorrect information on the public authority's portal and allotment of fake connections, the Appellant is advised to specify such cases and bring them to the notice of the CPIO. In that case, the CPIO may take appropriate action as per the existing law/rule.
9. Appeal is disposed of with the above directions, which are to be complied with within 4 weeks of receipt of this order.
CIC/LS/A/2013/001503SS Page 3 of 5 4 (Sushma Singh) Chief Information Commissioner 4 Authenticated by (D.C. Singh) Deputy Registrar Address to the Parties:
1. Shri Moolchand Agrawal Mohalla Nannu Khan Sarrafa Bazzar Gulwathi District - Bulandsahar Uttar Pradesh PIN 203408
2. The Central Public Information Officer (RTI) Indian Oil Corporation Limited Marketing Division U.P. Estate Office -II E8, Sector -I Noida 201301
3. The Appellate Authority (RTI) & Executive Director Indian Oil Corporation Limited Marketing Division U.P. Estate Office -II E8, Sector -I Noida 201301 CIC/LS/A/2013/001503SS Page 5 of 5