Central Information Commission
Mr.Pankaj Saraf vs Directorate General Of Foreign Trade on 7 February, 2014
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
Room No.-307, 2nd Floor, B-Wing, August Kranti Bhawan
Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066.
Website : cic.gov.in
Telephone No.: +91-11-26105682
File No.CIC/SS/A/2013/001287 to 001297/RM
File No. CIC/SS/A/2013/001299 to 001304/RM
File No. CIC/SS/A/2013/001307 to 001312/RM
Appellant: Shri Pankaj Saraf, Kolkata
Public Authority: Joint Director General of Foreign
Trade, Kolkata
Date of Hearing: 07.02.2014
Date of decision: 07.02.2014
Heard today, dated 07.02.2014 through video conferencing.
Appellant not present.
Public Authority is represented by Shri RN Meena, Jt DGFT/FAA and Shri AK Sinha,
Asstt DGFT/CPIO, Kolkata.
FACTS
Vide multiple RTIs all dated 19.10.2012 the appellant has sought information as authorized representative of Shri Vinod Kumar Jain, Prop. M/S R.K. Impex & CO. (India). Shri Jain is stated to have moved various applications for grant of DFIA license for different amounts and also issue of Post Export Benefits (VKGUY). He has sought information in respect of date of receipt of application and related issues.
2. APIO/FTDO on behalf of PIO/DDGFT vide common order dared 07.11.2012 disposed of the same with the reason that the matter is under investigation and denied information u/s 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act.
3. Separate appeals, all dated 05.12.2012 were filed by the appellant.
4. FAA vide common order dated 09.01.2013 disposed of the same upholding the decision of the APIO.
5. Written submissions are received from Shri AK Sinha, CPIO, dt 3.2.14 and taken on record. Submissions made by the public authority were heard. AA explained that in response to the RTI, the CPIO had denied information u/s 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act as the matter was pending enquiry with DRI. On receipt of clearance, DFIA licenses (7 applications) and Post Export Benefits (VKGUY) 14 applications have been cleared. As the VKGUY applications were submitted in manual form, they are required to seek confirmation from the Customs authorities and then issue the same. Three applications relating to VKGUY are currently pending for non-receipt of Customs clearance. In the absence of the appellant his views could not be ascertained.
DECISION 1
6. In the light of the submissions made by the public authority and the fact that the appellant chose not to appear for the hearing, we are of the view that no intervention of the Commission is required.
The appeal is disposed of.
Sd/-
(Rajiv Mathur) Central Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy forwarded to:
The Dy. DGFT & CPIO Ministry of Commerce O/o the Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, 4, Esplanade East, Kolkata -69.
The Jt.DGFT & First Appellate Authority Ministry of Commerce O/o the Joint Director General of Foreign Trade, 4, Esplanade East, Kolkata -69 Shri Pankaj Saraf 10, Kiran Sankar Roy Road. 2nd Floor Room #33, GPO Box #823, Kolkata -700 001.
(Raghubir Singh) Deputy Registrar .02.2014 2