Central Information Commission
Mr.Jesu Rathinam vs Sethusamudram Corporation Limited on 16 January, 2009
Central Information Commission
CIC/WB/C/2007/673/AD
Dated January 16, 2009
Name of the Appellant : Mr.Jesu Rathinam
Name of the Public Authority : Sethusamudram Corporation
Limited
Background
1. The Appellant filed an RTI request dt.19.12.06 with the PIO Sethusamudram Corporation Ltd. He requested for the following information:
i) The map of the dredged part of the Sethu Samudram Ship Canal as on 18.12.06 with latitude and longitude
ii) The detailed list of national and international dredging companies that has submitted their tenders for dredging work, their quotes, the reasons for rejecting their tenders
iii) The minutes of all the meetings that discussed and decided on tenders.
The PIO replied on 6.3.07 stating that request has been referred to the Ministry for some clarification and as soon as the reply is received, request will be considered accordingly. The Appellant filed a complaint dt.11.6.07 before the CIC.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for January 16, 2009.
3. Mr. R. Seshadri, Superintending Engineer and CPIO represented the Public Authority.
4. The Appellant was not present during the hearing. Decision
4. The Respondent submitted two reasons for delay in furnishing of information to the Appellant i) he is working with skeleton staff comprising of just one clerk and himself and, therefore is also working overtime, including on weekends to provide information against RTI applications and also to prepare Affidavits in more than 40 cases from the District court level to that of the Supreme Court and ii) all the information sought by the NGO has been all along with the lawyers in their offices in various places since several cases were on-going and all the relevant papers were returned by the lawyers only on 30.7.08, after the court cases were over. The Respondent stated that as soon as the information was received by him he sent the complete information to the Appellant on 1.9.08. Copies of the document sent to the Appellant were also submitted to the Commission.
5. Since the information has been provided, the appeal is accordingly disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy:
(K.G.Nair) Designated Officer Cc:
1. Mr.Jesurathinam Convenor Coastal Action Network 546 Selva Prabha Complex Public Office Road Velippalayam Nagapattinam 611 001
2. The CPIO Sethusamudram Corporation Ltd Corporate Office SPIC House Annexe, 7th Floor 88 Mount Road, Guindy Chennai 600 032
3. The Appellate Authority & Director of Postal Services Department of Posts O/o Chief Post Master General Karnataka Circle Bangalore 560 001
4. Officer in charge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC