Central Information Commission
Mr.Jayesh R Chhikniwala vs Insurance Division on 28 January, 2011
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
Room No.296, II Floor, B Wing, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066
Telefax:011-26180532 & 011-26107254 website:cic.gov.in
Appeal: No. CIC/DS/A/2010/001437
Appellant : Shri J.R.Chhikniwala, Ahmedabad(through videoconferencing)
Public Authority : The New India Assurance Co. Ltd, Ahmedabad/Mumbai
(Mr. Chandrakant Patel-CPIO- Ahmedabad, Mr. S.K.Sharma-
CPIO, Mumbai, Mr.Vinay Batra- Manager through video
conferencing)
Date of Hearing : 28 January 2011
Date of Decision : 28 January 2011
Facts:-
The applicant preferred RTI request dated 15 February 2010 before the CPIO, The New India Assurance Company Limited, Ahmedabad through which he sought information pertaining to the time limit for disposal of claim for theft of vehicle from the date of filing of the claim and statistical data on the total number of claims received by the company and disposed of - within time limit, beyond time limit and still pending - for the period 2007 to January 2010 along with reasons for delay and action taken against the erring officials. The CPIO, through his order dated 10 March 2010 provided information to the applicant only in terms of the total number of claims received by the company and informed that the information sought was not readily available.
2. The appellant preferred appeal dated 17 March 2010 before the First Appellate Authority which was adjudicated upon vide FAA order dated 7 April 2010 vide which additional information was provided in respect of points one and two and the order of the CPIO was upheld in respect of other points.
3. The appellant preferred second appeal dated 19 April 2010 before the Commission. The matter was heard today through video conferencing. Both parties were present as above and made averments.
Decision
4. After hearing both parties the Commission accepts the averments of the respodent that data as sought by the appellant is not held by them in material form. After hearing the appellant and perusing the contents of a second appeal - enclosed herewith as Annexure A
- the Commission reaches the conclusion that the intention of the appellant is to draw attention to the fact that while the marketing operations of the company are efficient the client servicing is poor with hardly any accountability for delays in the system why examining and disposing of claims. Using this as a test case the Commission forwards a copy of the second appeal which amply brings out the apathy of the company in responding to the claim application of the appellant resulting in inordinate delay in the claim settlement, to the Chief Regional Manager, Ahmedabad area with the suggestion that he may take suitable action to strengthen the system. The suggestion is being made in larger public interest which is at the heart of the RTI application submitted by the appellant.
(Smt. Deepak Sandhu) Information Commissioner (DS) Authenticated true copy (T.K.Mohapatra) Under Secretary & Dy. Registrar (Tel: 011-26105027) Copy to:-
1. Shri J.R.Chhikniwala, B/2/203, Spring Park, Near Heaven Park, Behind I.S.R.O. Satellite Area, Ahemdabad- 380015.
2. The CPIO, The New India Assurance Company Limited, Ahmedabad Regional Office, 5th Floor, Popular House, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad- 380009.
3. The Appellate Authority The New India Assurance Company Limited, Regd & Head Office, New India Assurance Bldg, 87, M.G.Road, Fort, Mumbai- 40001.
4. The Regional Manager, The New India Assurance Company Limited, 5th floor, Popular House, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad 380 009 - along with a copy of the second appeal.