Central Information Commission
Mr.S Bakthavatsalam vs Ministry Of Railways on 13 August, 2010
Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/2010/001015
Dated August 13, 2010
Name of the Appellant : Mr. S. Bakthavatsalam
Name of the Public Authority : Southern Railway, Chennai
Background
1. The Applicant filed his RTI Request on 24.02.2009, with the PIO Southern Railway, Chennai, seeking the final orders issued by the Ministry of Railways on the direction from the President in its notification No P1/D/5884 dated 19.11.2008 addressed to the Secretary, Ministry of Railways, Rail Bhavan, New Delhi. The PIO replied on 17.04.2009 informing the Applicant that his representation addressed to the President of India dated 05.11.2008 had been received in their office and that the same was perused. A careful scrutinization of the said representation had revealed that the Applicant had requested for payment of back wages, compensation, encashment of leave, pensionary benefits, bonus, in favor of 12 people stating that they were employed in Railways in Loco Shed, Basin Bridge as Women Khalasis / Cinder Pickers with effect from 01.01.1959 and that they were retrenched without giving notice etc. He further stated that all the above contentions had been denied by the Railway Administration in various forums. He reminded the Applicant that he had already filed several court cases claiming compensation, pensionary benefits etc. Not satisfied with this reply , the Applicant filed his First Appeal on 17.07.2009 requesting for a review of the order by the ADRM of Chennai Division along with copies of relevant documents. The First Appellate Authority replied on 06.08.2009 inviting the Appellant for a personal hearing before the ADRM on 17.08.2009. Being aggrieved with this reply, the Appellant filed his Second Appeal before the Commission requesting that the Appellate Authority be requested to give a speaking order and also reasons for not making various contributory and pensionary dues.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for August 13, 2010.
3. Mr. K. Rajindaran, ADRM cum Appellate Authority, and Mr. Dannis, APO cum APIO represented the Public Authority and were heard through Video Conferencing.
4. The Appellant was present during the hearing and was also heard through video conference. Decision
5. After hearing both sides the Commission directs the PIO to allow inspection of all the relevant files of the 12 individuals as mentioned by the Appellant, related to the payments and to provide him with attested copies of documents required by him, free of cost.
6. The Appeal is accordingly disposed of.
(Annapurna Dixit) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy:
(G. Subramanian) Deputy Registrar Cc:
1. Mr. S. Bakthavatsalam, President, Senior Citizen Association, 29/4, KMP Koil Street, Ayanavaram, Chennai 600023
2. The Public Information Officer, Southern Railway, Divisional Railway Manager's Office, Personnel Branch, Chennai Division, Chennai
3. The Appellate Authority, Southern Railway, Divisional Railway Manager's Office, Personnel Branch, Chennai Division, Chennai
4. Officer in charge, NIC