Central Information Commission
Mr.Arun Kumar vs Ministry Of Information And ... on 24 May, 2011
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/000784
Date of Hearing : May 24, 2011
Date of Decision : May 24, 2011
Parties:
Applicant
Shri Arun Kumar
H.No.331/13
Mohit Nagar
Dehradun 248 006
Uttrakhand
The Applicant was present during the hearing
Respondents
The Public Information Officer
Prasar Bharati Secretariat
PTI Building
Parliament Street
New Delhi
Represented by : Shri K.Subramanian, CPIO & DE, DG:DD
Shri Yuvraj Bajaj, AA & CE, DG:DD
Shri George Kuruvilla, PIO, Prasar Bharati
Shri J.P.S.Chawla, Sr.GM(B&A), Prasar Bharati
Information Commissioner : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
___________________________________________________________________
Decision Notice
As given in the decision
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/000784
ORDER
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.27.10.10 with the CPIO, Prasar Bharati seeking information against five points with regard to the telecast and coverage of the CWG by SIS Live. Shri George Kuruvilla, CPIO forwarded the RTI application to DG:Doordarshan, BECIL and Ministry of I&B vide his letter dt.8.11.10. Shri P.L.Verma, Under Secretary, MIB transferred the RTI application to DG:DD vide his letter dt.22.11.10. Shri Sham Lal, CPIO, MIB vide his letter dt.18.11.10 transferred the RTI application to Press Information Bureau. Ms.nanu Bhasin, CPIO(CWG), PIB replied on 29.11.10 stating that PIB has nothing to do with the coverage of CWG by SIS live. PIB's role was limited only to the setting up of a Main Press Centre at Pragati Maidan (for media facilitation of journalists) and for press operation at Main Press Centre and 18 venue media centres. With regard to points 2 to 4, she added that BECIl has been requested to provide the information. Shri Awadesh Pandit, CPIO, BECIL replied on 29.11.10 stating that information sought is available with Prasar Bharati. The Applicant filed an appeal dt.13.12.10 with the Appellate Authority, Prasar Bharati stating that DG:Doordarshan has not responded till date. Shri J.P.S.Chawla, Appellate Authority replied on 4.1.11 stating that first appeal is being forwarded to DG:Doordarshan. The Applicant filed a second appeal dt.2.2.11 before CIC stating that information has not been received by him.
Decision
2. During the hearing, the Respondents from DG: Doordarshan submitted that the RTI application was forwarded to Ms.Leela Nandan, Project Director (CWG) on 11.11.10 and added that the hearing notice was received from the Prasar Bharati the day before the date of hearing and that after going through the records it was noted that no reply had been sent to the Appellant by the then PIO DG:Doordarhsn. He added that he is willing to provide all the information except about Media Centre which is only available with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
3. The Commission after hearing the submissions made directs the PIO, DG:Doordarshan to provide complete information as available on the records. Alternately the Appellant may also seek inspection of records and identify the documents required by him and the PIO to provide attested copies of the same free of cost upto 100 pages and to charge @ Rs.2/ per page for pages beyond that. The PIO, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is also directed to provide information against all the points referring to Media Centre to the Appellant directly. The entire exercise to be completed by 24.6.11 and the Appellant to submit a compliance report to the Commission by 1.7.11. The PIO, Prasar Bharati is directed to forward a copy of this Order to PIO, DG:Doordarshan, PIO, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
4. The Commission also directs Ms.Leena Nandan, the then Project Director(CWG) to show cause as to why a penalty of Rs.250/ per day (Maximum Rs.25000) should not be imposed upon her for not responding to the RTI application within the stipulated time period as prescribed in the RTI Act. She may submit her written response to the Commission by 1.7.11. The PIO, Prasar Bharati is directed to forward a copy of this Order to Ms.Leena Nandan.
5. The appeal is disposed of with the above directions.
(Annapurna Dixit) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy (G.Subramanian) Deputy Registrar Cc:
1. Shri Arun Kumar H.No.331/13 Mohit Nagar Dehradun 248 006 Uttrakhand
2. The Public Information Officer Prasar Bharati Secretariat PTI Building Parliament Street New Delhi
3. The Appellate Authority Prasar Bharati Secretariat PTI Building Parliament Street New Delhi
4. Officer in charge, NIC