Central Information Commission
Mspurabi Sinha vs Ministry Of Human Resource Development on 23 July, 2014
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
Room No.306, 2nd Floor, B-Wing, August Kranti Bhawan
Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066.
Website: cic.gov.in
File No.CIC/RM/A/2014/000016
Appellant: Ms. Purabi Sinha, Silchar
Public Authority: Assam University, Silchar
Date of Hearing: 23.07.2014
Date of Decision: 23.07.2014
Heard today, dated 23.07.2014 through video conferencing.
Appellant not present.
Public Authority is represented by Dr Partha Pratim Paul, CPIO, Assam University,
Silchar.
FACTS
Vide RTI dt 2.7.13, appellant had sought information on 17 points relating to the selection Shri Satadal Acharjee as a staff of Assam University and related issues.
2. CPIO vide letter dt 3.9.13, informed the appellant that as he has not received any information from the concerned section of the University, he was not in a position to furnish the required information.
3. An appeal was filed on 10.9.13.
5. Submissions made by the public authority were heard. CPIO submitted that the RTI was sent to the Recruitment Cell, Finance Cell, Establishment-I and DSW for providing a response. A response was received only from the office of DSW in respect of two queries which was sent to the appellant vide letter dt 3.10.13. The Post Office, however, returned the dak on the grounds that the address was incomplete. CPIO submitted that till date no information has been provided by the Recruitment Cell, Finance Cell and Establishment-I. In response to a query from the Commission, CPIO clarified that no order was issued by the FAA in response to the appeal filed on 10.9.13. In the absence of the appellant, her views could not be ascertained.
DECISION
6. A show cause notice be issued to the incharge of Recruitment Cell, Finance Cell, and Establishment-I through CPIO, Assam University, Silchar as to why action u/s 20(1) of the RTI Act be not initiated against them for denial of information to the appellant. Their written submissions, through CPIO, should reach the Commission within three weeks from date of receipt of the order.
7. We also note with concern the fact that the FAA who is also the Registrar, Prof Niranjan Roy, has not responded to the appeal filed on 10.9.13. As the designated AA, he is required to issue a speaking order when an appeal is filed under the RTI Act. He is directed to ensure that a point wise response is provided to the appellant within two weeks from date of receipt of the order.
18. A copy of this order be marked to the Vice Chancellor, Prof Somnath Dasgupta, with directions to ensure that the officials of the University are made aware of the provisions of the RTI Act and their responsibility of providing a response within thirty days. It is unfortunate that in this particular case, despite the CPIO having sought information from different sections of the University, no response has been forthcoming. It is hoped that the Vice Chancellor shall take remedial measures to ensure that the provisions of the RTI Act are implemented in letter and spirit.
The appeal is disposed of.
Sd/-
(Rajiv Mathur) Chief Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy forwarded to:
The CPIO ASSAM UNIVERSITY, SILCHAR Silchar -788 011.
The First Appellate Authority ASSAM UNIVERSITY, SILCHAR Silchar -788 011.
Ms. Purabi Sinha C/o Dipika Sinha Vivekananda Raod, Silchar -788007. Cachar, Assam Copy to:-
Prof Somnath Dasgupta, - w.r.t. para 8 of the CIC Vice Chancellor, decision. ASSAM UNIVERSITY, SILCHAR Silchar -788 011.
(Raghubir Singh) Deputy Registrar .07.2014 2