Central Information Commission
Mr.Dr Th Suresh Singh vs Ministry Of Home Affairs on 25 April, 2013
Central Information Commission
Room No. 305, 2nd Floor, 'B' Wing, August Kranti Bhavan,
Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi110066
Web: www.cic.gov.in Tel No: 26167931
Case No. CIC/SS/A/2012/003256
Dated: 25.04.2013
Name of Appellant : Dr. Th. Suresh Singh
Name of Respondent : Ministry of Home Affairs
Date of Hearing : 15.04.2013
ORDER
Dr. Th. Suresh Singh, hereinafter called the appellant, has filed the present appeal dated 10.9.2012, before the Commission against the respondent Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi for not providing information in response to his RTI application dated 8.5.2012. The appellant was present whereas the respondent were represented by J.L. Chugh, Joint Secretary, Shri S.P. Singh, Deputy Secretary and Shri Laltlana Chhangte, Under Secretary.
2. The appellant, through his RTI application dated 8.5.2012 addressed to the CPIO, PMO, has sought information on the following two queries: "(1) Are there any steps taken by the GOI for the carrying out/fulfilling the obligation/undertaking contained under Article VIII(3) of the Agreement dated 21.9.1949 signed between the Governor General of India and His Highness, the Maharaja of Manipur; and (2) If yes, please specify the steps taken by the GOI for employment of Manipuris in various branches of public services. Please specify the branches and the specific steps for employment of Manipuris in those branches".
2Case No. CIC/SS/A/2012/003256
3. During the hearing the respondent submit that the RTI application dated 8.5.2012 was received on 18.5.2012 in the Ministry. As the information was not available with the Division, the RTI application was transferred to the Department of Personnel and Training (DOP&T), North East Division and Department of North Eastern Development u/s 6(3) of the RTI Act for appropriate action. The NE Division vide O.M. dated 6.7.2012-NE(I) dated May 2012 and 7.6.2012 has transferred the original application to C.S. Division for taking further necessary action. The DOP&T vide O.M. dated 2.2.2012-RTIC dated 5.6.2012 has further transferred the application to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment who has not accepted the transfer stating that the Ministry had nothing to do with the issue involved and returned the RTI application to DOP&T. The DOP&T has further transferred back the application u/s 6(3) of the RTI Act stating that the information sought is not held by the Department. The appeal dated 10.8.2012 of the appellant was also transferred to NE Division, MHA for appropriate action with a request to consider the appeal under the RTI Act. In so far as Judicial Division, MHA is concerned, the Division has been able to obtain a copy of the merger agreement made between the Governor General of India and His Highness, the Maharaja of Manipur dated 21.9.1949 from the National Archive of India, a copy of which is already available with the appellant. The respondent submit that there was no intention to hide any part of information available with the CPIO/FAA as the specific information required by the appellant is not available with the concerned CPIO.
4. Having considered the submissions of the parties and perused the relevant documents on the file, the Commission is of the view that the matter is related to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Commission hereby directs the CPIO to pass a speaking order in respect of both the queries of the appellant and provide requisite information to the appellant within four weeks of receipt of this order.
3Case No. CIC/SS/A/2012/003256 The matter is disposed of on the part of the Commission with above directions/observations.
(Sushma Singh) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy:
(K.K. Sharma) OSD & Deputy Registrar Address of the parties:
Dr. Th. Suresh Singh, Centre for Foreign Studies & Placement, Keishamthong Laisom, Leirak, Imphal-795001 (Manipur) Under Secretary/CPIO, Ministry of Home Affairs, Judicial & PP Division, NDCC-II Building, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi-110001.
Joint Secretary & FAA, Ministry of Home Affairs, Judicial & PP Division, NDCC-II Building, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi-110001.