Central Information Commission
Mr.N L Gupta vs Ministry Of Railways on 16 November, 2011
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No. CIC/AD/A/2011/002146
Date of Hearing : November 16, 2011
Date of Decision : November 16, 2011
Parties:
Appellant
Shri N L Gupta
WZ 1672, Nangal Raya,
New Delhi
The Appellant was present
Respondents
Northern Railway
State Entry Road
New Delhi
Represented by: Shri Jagjit Singh, SR. DMM, Shri J S Walia, DCM, and Shri N N Kalia, CDMS
Information Commissioner : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
___________________________________________________________________
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/002146
ORDER
Background
1. The Applicant filed his RTIapplication (dated 11.05.2011) with the PIO, Northern Railway, New Delhi seeking certain information about the existence and the functioning of certain facilities (i.e ticket counters; toilets; drinking water; platform shade) at Delhi Cantonment Railway Station. The PIO on 21.07.2011 forwarded the pointwise information (dated 14.06.2011) to the Applicant which he had received from the Sr. DCM, Northern Railway. The Applicant, being unhappy with this information, filed his first appeal before the AA on 01.07.2011 which the AA decided through his order dated 25.07.2011 holding that the information given by Sr. DCM is correct. The Appellant, thereafter, filed the present petition before the Commission on 20.08.2011 requesting that he be provided with the correct information.
Decision
2. During the hearing, the Appellant's RTIqueries (1 to 5) were discussed as given below:
Item no. 1:
3. The Appellant stated that there only two ticket counters are in operation at the above Railway station which is not is conformity with the Railway norms/instructions on this matter. The Respondents stated that presently there are 3 ticket counters in existence at the above Railway station. They also explained that the additional ticket counters were not opened because it was felt that additional numbers were not required based on the number of passengers who use these facilities each day. In view of the above, it is directed that the PIO should provide to the Appellant the total number of ticket counters, which are in operation at the above Railway station, as also the dates from which they have started operating along with an attested copy of Rules/instructions related to opening of such ticket counters at the Railway station. A copy of report/s based on which it has been concluded that additional counters are not required may also be furnished to the Appellant. Item no.2:
4. The Appellant wanted to know why the names of the persons sitting at the ticket counters are not displayed on the notice board. The Respondents stated that the names of the ticket sellers are displayed through name plates, which are kept on the ticket counters. This statement of the Respondents, according to the Appellant, was factually incorrect. Though the Appellant's query here does not identify any material information as defined in Section 2(f) of the RTIAct, the issue brought up therein is undoubtedly an important one since it deals with the convenience of the public, travelling in trains, and thereby serves public interest. In view of the above, it is directed that the Competent Authority in the Ministry of Railways ensure that at all the Railway stations in the names of the Railway staff working at the ticket counters along with timings during which they are expected to operate at the counters are exhibited in front of the counters for the perusal of the general public/passengers. Compliance report in this regard may be submitted to the Commission by December 31, 2011, copy of which may also be marked to the Appellant.
Item nos. 3 & 4:
5. Through these items, the Appellant expressed his concern about various problems (such as, heavy rush of passengers, inadequate ticket windows etc.) the Railway passengers have to face while buying the tickets, and accordingly sought to know as to by what time the public authority would be able to sort out these problems. The Respondents stated that the problems the Appellant has mentioned hereinabove has since been sorted out to some extent by opening an additional ticket counter at the above mentioned Railway station. They, however, added that normally such problems are dealt with at the level of the SR. DCM, under whose verbal instructions additional windows are opened, as and when required.
The disclosure requirement in this item would be met if the Respondents provide to the Appellant a detailed report on the steps which have been taken by them to cope with the above mentioned problems at the Railway station named in the Appellant's RTIapplication. It is accordingly directed that the PIO should provide this report to the Appellant within 3 weeks of receipt of this order, if available on record.
Item no.5:
6. Here also the Appellant made an attempt to bring to the notice of the public authority the problems of nonfunctioning toilets and inadequate water supply at the above mentioned Railway station, and accordingly sought to know whether these basic facilities would ever be made available to the passengers or not. The Respondents, when asked, could not give any convincing answer. Considering the seriousness of the matter, especially in the context of the difficulties the public is facing due to above systemic failure of the public authority, it is hereby strongly recommended that the Competent authority in the Ministry of Railways/ Northern Railways immediately take necessary steps in order to resume all these basic facilities at the above Railway station. A detailed report in this regard may be submitted to the Commission preferably by the end of this year with a copy marked to the Appellant.
7. Appeal is disposed of with the above directions and recommendation.
(Annapurna Dixit) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy (G.Subramanian) Deputy Registrar Cc:
1. The Chairman Railway Board Rail Bhawan New Delhi
2. Shri N L Gupta WZ 1672, Nangal Raya, New Delhi 110 046
3. The Appellate Authority Northern Railway DRM office State Entry Road New Delhi
4. Public Information Officer & Sr. DPO Northern Railway DRM office State Entry Road New Delhi
5. Officer in charge, NIC Note: In case, the Commission's above directives have not been complied with by the Respondents, the Appellant may file a formal complaint with the Commission under Section 18(1) of the RTIAct, giving (1) copy of RTI application, (2) copy of PIO's reply, (3) copy of the decision of the first Appellate Authority, (4) copy of the Commission's decision, and (5) any other documents which he/she considers to be necessary for deciding the complaint. In the prayer, the Appellant may indicate, what information has not been provided.