Central Information Commission
Devraj Phogat vs Northern Coalfield Ltd. on 7 April, 2026
के ीय सू चना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ माग, मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
File No: CIC/NCFLT/A/2025/118951
Devraj Phogat .....अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO
Northem Coalfield Ltd.,
Singrauli, PO Singrauli
Colliery - 486889 .... ितवादीगण /Respondent
Date of Hearing : 06.04.2026
Date of Decision : 06.04.2026
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER : Jaya Varma Sinha
Relevant facts emerging from appeal:
RTI application filed on : 08.03.2025
CPIO replied on : 29.04.2025
First appeal filed on : 09.04.2025
First Appellate Authority's order : 16.04.2025
2nd Appeal dated : 09.06.2025
Information sought:
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 08.03.2025(online) seeking the following information:
"Refer: 1071 Dated 02.11.2024 In continuity to above:
1. Provide scanned copy of first page of work order issued to successful bidder on approval by the competent authority of Jhingurda Area, NCL on the CIC/NCFLT/A/2025/118951 Page 1 of 5 recommendations of tender committee constituted for appreciation of tender no.: GEM/2022/B/2250563
2. Provide scanned copy of bill raised by the Contractor of work order issued on conclusion of tender no.: GEM/2022/8/2250563 for the month of January, 2024 and paid by Jhingurda Area, NCL inclusive of Labour Payment Certificate (LPC) by the designated Labour Welfare Officer (LWO) and / or the Personnel Department of Jhingurda Area
3. Provide scanned copy of first page of work order issued to successful bidder on approval by the competent authority of Jhingurd Area, NCL on the recommendations of render committee constituted for appreciation of tender no.: GEM/2023/8/4368771.
4. Provide scanned copy of bill raised by the Contractor of work order issued on conclusion of tender no.: GEM/2023/B/4368771for the month of June, 2024 and paid by Jhingurda Area, NCL inclusive of Labour Payment Certificate (LPC) by the designated Labour Welfare Officer (LWO) and / or the Personnel Department of Jhingurda Area."
2. The CPIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 29.04.2025 stating as under:
"चाही गयी जानकारी बंदव ु र िनिम हैः-
मांक 1:-
Scanned copy of first page is enclosed.
Tender No: GEM/2022/B/2250563 मांक 2:- As per Sec.8(1)(j) of RTI Act, the information cannot be provided. मांक 3:-
Scanned copy of first page is enclosed. Tender No: GEM/2023/B/4368771 मांक 4:- As per Sec.8(1)(j) of RTI Act, the information cannot be provided.
3. Being dissatisfied, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 09.04.2025.
The FAA vide its order dated 16.04.2025, held as under:
"उपरो प र े म संबंिधत डीपीआईओ) आरटीआई(, िझंगुरदा े को िनदिशत िकया जाता है िक आवेदक ी देवराज फोगाट के आरटीआई आवेदन पंजीकरण सं ा NCFLT/R/E/25/00119 के अं तगत मांगी गई सू चना इस प ा के 02 स ाह के अंदर के ीय जनसूचना अिधकारी, एनसीएल को उपल कराव।
के ीय जनसूचना अिधकारी-एनसीएल, िझंगुरदा े से वांिछत जानकारी ा होने पर आवेदक को दान करगे।
अतः अपील का िन ारण उपरो ानुसार िकया जाता है।"CIC/NCFLT/A/2025/118951 Page 2 of 5
4. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied, Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.
Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:
The following were present:-
Appellant: Present in person.
Respondent: Shri Sanjay Sinha, CPIO-cum-GM, attended the hearing through VC.
5. The Appellant stated that the CPIO has not provided complete information as sought in the instant RTI Application even after the directions of First Appellate Authority. He added that in this case, he has only received the relevant information pertaining to copy of work orders from the Respondent but has not provided copies of bills and Last Pay Certificate (LPC).
6. The Respondent submitted that their office has provided the relevant information pertaining to work orders in point No. 1 and 3 of the RTI Application. He added that with respect to point No. 2 and 4 of the RTI Application, the information is personal information of third party which is exempted from disclosure under Section 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act.
7. A written submission has been received from Shri Sanjay Sinha, CPIO-
cum-GM, vide letter dated 26.03.2026, a copy of which has been sent to the Complainant and the same has been taken on record. The relevant extract of the same is as under:
"1. Shri Devraj Phogat submitted online RTI application Registration No. NCFLT/R/E/25/00119 dated 08.03.2025 (Enclosed at page no.01 & 02)
2. CPIO, NCL forwarded the application through online RTI portal to DPIO, Jhingurda Area on 11.03.2025 for providing information. (Enclosed at page no.- 03)
3. Applicant filed 1 appeal online Registration No. 09.04.2025. (Enclosed at page no.04) NCFLT/A/E/25/00096 Dated
4. First Appellate Authority, NCL passed a decision vide letter no. एनसीएल/िसंग/अपी० ािध०/E-00096/2025/435, िदनांक 16.04.2025 CIC/NCFLT/A/2025/118951 Page 3 of 5 with a copy to the applicant, DPIO Jhingurda Area and CPIO-NCL with following direction: -
उपरो प र े म संबंिधत डीपीआईओ (आरटीआई), िझंगुरदा े को िनदिशत िकया जाता है िक आवेदक ी दे वराज फोगाट के आरटीआई आवेदन पंजीकरण सं ा NCFLT/R/E/25/00119 के अंतगत मां गी गई सूचना इस प ा के 02 स ाह के अंदर के ीय जनसूचना अिधकारी, एनसीएल को उपल कराव।
के ीय जनसूचना अिधकारी-एनसीएल, िझंगुरदा े से वां िछत जानकारी ा होने पर आवेदक को दान करगे। अतः अपील का िन ारण उपरो ानुसार िकया जाता है । (Enclosed at page no. -05)
5. CPIO, NCL HQ sent a letter to the DPIO, Jhingurda Area after decision of FAA, NCL vide letter no. एनसीएल/िसंग/ज०सू ०अिध०-
E/24/00119/2025/54, िदनां क 17.04.2025 for providing information within 02 weeks (Enclosed at page no. 06)
6. The information was received from the Nigahi Area on 29.04.2025, and CPIO, NCL sent to the applicant on 02.05.2025 through RTI Portal. (enclosed at page nos. 07 to 11)"
Decision:
8. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both the parties and perusal of the records, observes that the CPIO has provided the relevant information qua point No. 1 and 3 of the RTI Application to the Appellant. However, with respect to point No. 2 and 4 of the RTI Application, the CPIO has denied the information under Section 8 (1) (j) of the RTI Act, which is wrong and not found convincing and appears to be legally flawed. The Respondents present during the hearing are also unable to substantiate their arguments in favor of denial of information.
9. In view of the above, the Commission deems it fit to direct Shri Sanjay Sinha, CPIO-cum-GM, to revisit point No. 2 and 4 of the RTI Application, and provide a revised reply by furnishing the relevant and available information to the Appellant, after invoking the provisions of Severability under Section 10 of the RTI Act, within two weeks from the date of receipt of this order. If the Respondent requires assistance from any other CIC/NCFLT/A/2025/118951 Page 4 of 5 office/officer for compliance with the above directions, the same shall be sought by invoking Section 5 (4) of RTI Act.
10. The First Appellate Authority to ensure compliance of the directions.
The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Jaya Varma Sinha (जया वमा िस ा) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) Authenticated true copy (अिभ मािणत स ािपत ित) (Ashutosh Vasistha) Dy. Registrar 011- 26107042 Copy To:
The FAA, Northern Coalfield Ltd., Singrauli, PO Singrauli Colliery-486889 CIC/NCFLT/A/2025/118951 Page 5 of 5 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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