Central Information Commission
Mrp M Chackochar vs Ministry Of Environment & Forests on 26 December, 2014
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
(Room No.315, BWing, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi 110 066)
File No.CIC/SA/A/2014/000832
(VIDEOCONFERENCE)
Appellant : Sh.P.M.Chackochan
Idukki
Respondent : Ministry of Environment and
Forests, GOI, New Delhi
Date of hearing : 17122014
Date of decision : 26122014
Information Commissioner : Prof. M. Sridhar Acharyulu
(Madabhushi Sridhar)
Referred Sections : Sections 19(3) of the RTI Act
Result : Appeal allowed/Show Cause
The appellant is present for videoconference at NIC Centre, Idukki. The Public
Authority who came late after the video conference, is represented by Mr. Raja Sekhar
Ratti, ScientistC/Deputy Director, from Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi.
CIC/SA/A/2014/000832 Page 1
FACTS:
2. The appellant through his RTI application dated 23.12.2013 is seeking 6 point information with respect to funds allotted by UNESCO or any other international agencies to the to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for protection of Western Ghats, viz. whether funds received, if yes, what are the conditions imposed by the international agency; how much fund received, how much is due etc. CPIO on 20.1.2014 has claimed the exemption of section 2 (f) of the RTI Act. Being unsatisfied with the CPIO reply, the appellant made first appeal. FAA on 14.3.2014 has directed the CPIO to provide the information within 30 days. On noncompliance of FAA order, the appellant made second appeal before the Commission. DECISION
3. The appellant made his submissions through videoconference from Idukki. The Respondent authority is not present at the time of videoconference. The Commission on perusal of the available record in the file, finds that the CPIO has not provided the information as per the FAA order.
4. The Commission, therefore, directs the CPIO to comply with the FAA order within 15 days from the date of receipt of this order and also directs the CPIO to show cause why maximum penalty cannot be imposed on him for not complying with the FAA order within the prescribed time period. His explanation should reach the Commission within 3 weeks from the date of receipt of this order. The respondent officers, who met the Commission after the scheduled videoconference, were accordingly directed by the Commission, to furnish the explanation as per the Show Cause Notice.
5. The Commisison orders accordingly.
CIC/SA/A/2014/000832 Page 2
(M. Sridhar Acharyulu)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy
(Babu Lal)
Deputy Registrar
Address of the parties:
1. The CPIO under RTI, Government of India
Ministry of Environment and Forests, Paryavaran Bhawan Jor Bagh Road, Lodi Road Post Office, New Delhi110003
2. Shri P.M.Chackochan Puthuparambil House, Nedumkandan (PO) Thamimoody, Idukki (D) Kerala685553
3. The Inspector General of Forests (Wildlife) & First Appellate Authority under RTI Act, Government of India Ministry of Environment and Forests, Paryavaran Bhawan Jor Bagh Road, Lodi Road Post Office, New Delhi110003 CIC/SA/A/2014/000832 Page 3