Central Information Commission
Mr.S Bakthavatsalam vs Ministry Of Railways on 13 August, 2010
Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/C/2010/000870
Dated August 13, 2010
Name of the Appellant : Mr. S. Bakthavatsalam
Name of the Public Authority : Southern Railway, Chennai
Background
1. The Applicant filed his RTI Request on 31.07.2009, with the PIO Southern Railway, Chennai, requesting for information regarding his pension. On not receiving an appropriate reply, the Applicant filed his first appeal on 09.09.2009 (not submitted ). On 25.09.2009 the APO cum APIO, Chennai Division, informed the Applicant that his application had already been disposed of by the Appellate Authority vide his letter dated 20 May 2009. Being aggrieved with this reply, the Applicant filed his Second Appeal before the Commission on 20.05.2010 stating that the Pay Commission Expert body had given orders to issue PPOs and also to pay commutation of pension upto 40% and requesting for reasons for not issuing his PPO from 1.1.96 to 1.1.2006 and commutation benefits of 20% pension .
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for August 13, 2010.
3. Mr. K. Rajindaran, ADRM cum Appellate Authority, and Mr. Dannis, APO cum APIO represented the Public Authority and were heard through Video Conferencing.
4. The Appellant was present during the hearing and was also heard through video conferencing. Decision
5. The Respondent stated that the Complainant had not sought any information from the Railway Administration under RTI Act, 2005. He had only represented his personal grievance regarding non issue of Pension Pay Order from 01.01.1996 consequent to the implementation of Vth Pay Commission recommendations and from 01.01.2006 based on VIth PC recommendations. On scrutiny of the application it was noticed that the Complainant had not submitted the mandatory application form for revision of pension as per V PC and VI PC recommendations. Hence, the Complainant was advised vide ADFM/PF & Pension & APIO of Accounts Department of Chennai Division letter dated 08.06.2010 to submit the necessary application forms for sanction and issue of the revised PPO. The Respondent also added that the computation of 20% pension on attaining the age of 80 years as on 01.01.2006 would be incorporated in the revised PPO. The Complainant was also advised to meet the APIO for further clarifications, if any. Accordingly, the Complainant had met the APIO of Accounts Department on 10.06.2010. He was briefed about the procedure for submission of requisite applications for issue of revised PPO. The Respondent further stated that there was a delay in redressing the grievances of the Complainant due to specific issues in the Division in Chennai. However, now all the grievances of the Complainant have been redressed and he is satisfied.
6. The Commission noted that the grievance of the Appellant had been redressed and accordingly disposes of the appeal and closes the case at the Commission's end.
(Annapurna Dixit) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy:
(G. Subramanian) Deputy Registrar Cc:
1. Mr. S. Bakthavatsalam, President, Senior Citizen Association, 29/4, KMP Koil Street, Ayanavaram, Chennai 600023
2. The Public Information Officer, Southern Railway, Divisional Railway Manager's Office, Personnel Branch, Chennai Division, Chennai
3. Officer in charge, NIC