Central Information Commission
Sh. D.L. Chandhok vs Central Warehousing Corporation on 29 December, 2008
Central Information Commission
2nd Floor, August Kranti Bhawan,
Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi - 110 066
Website: www.cic.gov.in
Decision No.3537/IC(A)/2008
F. No.CIC/PB/A/2008/01343
Dated, the 29th December, 2008
Name of the Appellant: Sh. D.L. Chandhok
Name of the Public Authority: Central Warehousing Corporation
i
Facts:
1. Both the parties were heard on 26/12/2008.
2. The appellant has asked for the following information:
"Kindly supply me the information/certified photo copies of the documents listed below, under the Right to Information Act, 2005:
(i) Warehouse Receipts No.CW 2003 008990 to CW 2003 009002 issued during Feb. 2007 at CW, Narsinghpur in M.P. Region;
(ii) Cash Receipts for storage charges collected against the said warehouse receipts delivered after February 2007."
3. The CPIO has refused to provide the information u/s 8(1)(e) of the Act, on the ground that the information pertain to a third party to whom the reference was made u/s 11(1) of the Act. Since the third party has not given its concurrence for disclosure of information, the information asked for was refused to the appellant.
4. In the course of hearing, it emerged that there are irregularities in conduct of certain activities of the respondent and the matter is also under investigation. It also emerged that the copy of receipts asked for by the appellant pertain to the respondent and, therefore, the ground for denial of information, being a third party documents, is not justified. The appellant, therefore, pleaded for disclosure of the information asked for, which would help detect the sources of corruption in the management of warehouse.
i "If you don't ask, you don't get." - Mahatma Gandhi 1 Decision:
5. The information asked for pertain to the respondent and, therefore, the denial of information on the ground of third party information is untenable. Since the parties have admitted about the corrupt practices under investigation by the respondent, the disclosure of information asked for would help in tracking the sources of corruption. The disclosure of information is, therefore, largely in public interest. The CPIO is, therefore, directed to furnish the information asked for within 15 working days from the date of issue of this decision.
6. The appeal is thus disposed of.
Sd/-
(Prof. M.M. Ansari) Central Information Commissioner ii Authenticated true copy:
(M.C. Sharma) Assistant Registrar Name & address of Parties:
1. Shri. D.L. Chandhok, WZ-677, Shiv Nagar Extn., Jail Road, New Delhi -
110 058.
2. Ms. Manju Verma, Regional Manager & PIO, Central Warehousing Corporation, 75 Arera Hills, Opp. Central School-I, Bhopal - 462 011.
3. Shri. G. Mathialagan Appellate Authority, Central Warehousing Corporation, 4/1, Siri Institutional Area, Hauz Khas, New Delhi - 110 016.
ii "All men by nature desire to know." - Aristotle 2