Central Information Commission
Udhayakumar P. vs Department Of Posts on 25 June, 2025
के ीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गं गनाथ माग,मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
ि तीय अपील सं ा / Second Appeal No. CIC/POSTS/A/2024/104283
Udhayakumar P. ... अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO:
1. Department of Posts,
Chennai
2. Department of Posts,
Kanchipuram ... ितवादीगण/Respondents
Relevant dates emerging from the appeal:
RTI : 10.10.2023 FA : 20.11.2023 SA : 05.02.2024
CPIO : 20.10.2023 FAO : 15.12.2023 Hearing : 19.06.2025
Date of Decision: 24.06.2025
CORAM:
Hon'ble Commissioner
_ANANDI RAMALINGAM
ORDER
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 10.10.2023 seeking information on the following points:
1) "Date on which the following Registered /Speed Post/Consignment articles were delivered to the addressee, along with the full information/ details of the Name and Designation of the persons(s) who has taken the receipt of the respective Registered Post Article(s)/Speed Post(s)/Consignment(s) booked at respective post office and was delivered to the Addressee(s) referred therein. Request you Page 1 of 10 to support the same with the Certified copy(ies) of the Delivery Slip(s)/Manifest under the seal and signature of the Competent Authority(ies) with Name and Designation with date.
Sl Article No. Booking Post Date of Expected Delivery No. Office Booking Post Office
1. RT143421649IN Mylapore HPO 24/07/2023 Tiruvallur HPO
2. RT228687488IN Mylapore HPO 02/09/2023 Tiruvallur HPO
3. RT228687491IN Mylapore HPO 02/09/2023 Tiruvallur HPO
4. RT228685703IN Mylapore HPO 07/08/2023 Tiruvallur HPO
5. RT228685717IN Mylapore HPO 07/08/2023 Tiruvallur HPO
6. RT143423888IN Mylapore HPO 03/08/2023 Fort St. George S.O
7. RT143424000IN Mylapore HPO 03/08/2023 Fort St. George S.O
8. RT143423432IN Mylapore HPO 02/08/2023 Tiruvellikani S.O
9. RT143423548IN Mylapore HPO 02/08/2023 Tiruvellikani S.O
2) Request you to provide the Certified copy(ies) of the Delivery Slip(s)/Manifest under the seal and signature of the Competent Authority with Name and Designation with date, for the following receipt(s) of the Postal Article(s) related to me delivered by the Mylapore HPO. Also support with the "Certified Copy(ies)" of the information hosted on your departmental website (Track Consignment) under the seal and signature of the Competent Authority(ies) confirming the below delivery of the above below article(s) reflecting the addressee information and date of delivery of the same. Sl No. Delivery Post Office Delivery Post Office Date of Delivery
1. RT058899335IN Mylapore HPO 07/01/2023
2. RT097722406IN Mylapore HPO 04/02/2023
3. RT108844938IN Mylapore HPO 07/03/2023
4. RT132567838IN Mylapore HPO 29/04/2023
5. RT108850434IN Mylapore HPO 13/04/2023 .... ..... ..... .....
25. RT261098661IN Mylapore HPO 05/10/2023
3) Kindly provide the "Certified Copy(ies)" of the information hosted on your departmental website (Track Consignment) under the seal and signature of the Page 2 of 10 Competent Authority(ies) confirming the delivery of the above referred article(s) reflecting the addressee information and date of delivery of the same. Sl No. Delivery Post Office Delivery Post Office Date of Delivery
1. RT108850434IN Mylapore HPO 13/04/2023
2. RT116843024IN Mylapore HPO 25/04/2023
3. RT131479363IN Mylapore HPO 27/04/2023
4. RT131470934IN Mylapore HPO 29/04/2023
5. RT132567838IN Mylapore HPO .... ..... ..... .....
10. ED360918782IN Mylapore HPO 02/06/2023
4) In-case, the information or "Certified copy(ies) of the record(s)/document(s)"
sought are denied wholly or partly, then kindly support the information for denial as sought below:
Sl. Relevant Relevant Relevant Relevant Notificatio Circular N Act(s) Section(s) Rules(s) regulatory n(s) (s) with o. prohibiti along with along with Authority, number the ng the the Sub- Sub- with name along with number informat section(s)/ rule(s) and and the date of along ion and clause(s)/S completely issue. with the
(s)/certif clause(s)/S ub- communica date of ied ub- clause(s) tion issue.
copy(ies) clause(s), address
if any. along with
the
department
(s), if any.
2. The CPIO, Department of Posts, Chennai (North Division) replied vide letter dated 20.10.2023 and the same is reproduced as under:-
" Reply for information sought in connection with Article Nos: RT143423888IN and RT143424000IN under Sl. 6 and 7 of your RTI Application is furnished below:
The Registered articles, RT143423888IN and RT143424000IN booked at Mylapore HO on 03.08.2023 was delivered to the addressee by Fort St. George SO on 04.08.2023.Page 3 of 10
For supply of copy of POD, please credit a sum of Rs. 2/- as additional document fee for supply of information under RTI Act 2005 in any of the Post Office and requested to forward the receipt to this office."
The CPIO, Department of Posts, Kanchipuram replied vide letter dated 14.11.2023 and the same is reproduced as under:-
Sl Article No(s). Date of Name and Certified
No. Delivery Designation of the copy(ies) of the
person who has taken Delivery
delivery Slip/Manifest
1. RT143421649IN 25/07/2023 Vimal Junior Revenue Enclosed
Inspector Dist.
Collector Office
Tiruvallur 602001
2. RT228687488IN 04/09/2023 Boobalan Record Enclosed
clerk Dist. Collector
Office Tiruvallur
602001
3. RT228687491IN 04/09/2023 Boobalan Record Enclosed
clerk Dist. Collector
Office Tiruvallur
602001
4. RT228685703IN 08/08/2023 Vimal Junior Revenue Enclosed
Inspector Dist.
Collector Office
Tiruvallur 602001
5. RT228685717IN 08/08/2023 Vimal Junior Revenue Enclosed
Inspector Dist.
Collector Office
Tiruvallur 602001
The CPIO, Department of Posts, Chennai (Central Division) replied vide letter dated 31.10.2023 and the same is reproduced as under:-
"1. The article Number: RT143423432IN was delivered on 3/8/23 to Revenue Administration, Commissionerate of Disaster Management, Ezhilagam, Chennai 600005.
The article Number: RT143423548IN was delivered on 3/8/23 to Revenue Administration, Commissionerate of Disaster Management, Ezhilagam, Chennai 600005.Page 4 of 10
2: The certified copy of the Delivery Slip(s)/Manifest under the seal and signature of Competent Authority with Name and Designation with date is enclosed., Encl: as above.
The certified copy of delivery slip(s)/Manifest under the seal and signature of the Competent Authority for the articles are enclosed. Certified copy of Track consignment Report in India Post website is not available for the articles mentioned in Point no.2 from SI Number 1 to 12. Hence the same could not be furnished.
Certified copy of Track consignment report for the articles from Sl No.13 to 25 are enclosed.
Encl: as above.
3: Track consignment Report in India Post website is not available for the articles mentioned in Point No.3 from sl. Number 1 to 11. Hence, the certified copy of the information for the same could not be furnished.
4: Does not arise."
3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 20.11.2023. The FAA vide order dated 15.12.2023 stated that:
"Discussion on the replies given by the CPIO & Sr. Superintendent of Post Offices, Kanchipuram Division, Kanchipuram 631501:
Point No.1 Reply: The CPIO had provided the information as per the available records as requested by the applicant along with certified copies of the delivery manifests under RTI act. But, CPIO has failed to mention date of issue of those certified copies of the delivery manifests supplied to the applicant. Hence, the reply of the CPIO & SPOs, Kanchipuram Division, Kanchipuram 631 501 is not completely in order and the CPIO is directed to provide the information as requested by the applicant with free of cost within 5 days from the date of receipt of this order.Page 5 of 10
Further, the appellant has stated that delivery manifest in respect of article numbers RT143421649IN, RT228685703IN and RT228685717IN which have " Barcode" with address as "Collector" and had issued by the CPIO seems to be created and supplied to the applicant. In this regard, it is to intimate that the actual delivery manifest which was used for delivery of the said registered articles by the delivery official on the particular date was only provided to the applicant. Thus, the available information in records only was provided to the applicant by the CPIO as per RTI, Act 2005.
Discussion on the replies given by the CPIO/Sr. Superintendent of Post Offices, Chennai City Central Division:
Point 1 Reply: The CPIO had provided the available information as requested by the applicant along with certified copies of the delivery manifests under RTI act. Hence, the reply of the CPIO & Sr. Superintendent of Post Offices, Chennai City Central Division, Chennai 600 017 is in order and upheld.
Point 2 Reply: Reply: The CPIO had provided the available information to the applicant along with certified copies of the delivery manifests under RTI act. In respect of certified copies of the information hosted on departmental website (Track Consignment), the CPIO had replied that Certified copy of Track consignment Report in India Post website is not available for the articles mentioned in Point no.2 from Sl Number 1 to 12. Thus, the same could not be provided. As per section 2(f) of RTI act, the information can be provided which already exist with the public authority and the public authority is not supposed to create information. Hence, the reply of the CPIO & Sr. Superintendent of Post Offices, Chennai City Central Division, Chennai 600 017 1s order and upheld.
Further, the appellant has stated in his appeal that the record retention period related to delivery of article (Track consignment report) is about 2 years which is misleading and there is no such norms in existing practice for "Track Consignment" in India Post website.
Point 3 Reply: The CPIO had replied that certified copy of Track consignment Report in India Post website is not available for the articles mentioned in Point no.2 from Page 6 of 10 Sl Number I to 11. Thus, the same could not be provided. As per section 2(f) of RTI act, the information can be provided which already exist with the public authority and the public authority is not supposed to create information. Hence, the reply of the CPIO & Sr. Superintendent of Post Offices, Chennai City Central Division, Chennai 600 017 is in order and upheld.
Further, the appellant has stated in his appeal that the record retention period related to delivery of article(Track consignment report) is about 2 years which is misleading and there is no such norms in existing practice under the department for "Track Consignment" in India Post website."
4. Aggrieved with the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 05.02.2024.
5. The Appellant was present during the hearing through video conference and on behalf of the Respondent, Lekshmanan, SSPO & CPIO (Chennai North Division) along with Arul Das, SPO & CPIO (Kanchipuram) attended the hearing through video conference.
6. The Appellant stated his dissatisfaction with respect to the information received from the Chennai North Division and also stated that CPIO, Kanchipuram has not provided the desired information.
7. Lekshmanan, SSPO & CPIO relied on their written submissions dated 30.05.2025 stating as under:
"1) The said applicant has initially sought to provide copy of POD for RLs, RT143423888IN and RT143424000IN delivered at Fort St. George SO on 04.08.2023 vide his RTI application dated 10:10.2023 addressed to The CAPIO, Mylapore HPO, Kutchery Road, Chennai 600 004 and received at this office on 13.10.2023 from SSPOs, Chennai City Central Division, Chennai 17.
2) He was replied to credit a sum of Rs. 2/- for obtaining POD copy vide this office letter no CPT/RTI/Digs dated 20.10.2023 Page 7 of 10
3) He filed an appeal against the above reply vide his appeal letter dated 20.11.2023 which was received from O/o Postmaster General, Chennai City Region, Chennai-600 002 email dated 28.11.2023. It was contended that the reply of the CPIO is vague as it lacks the information whether it would be supplied as a "Certified true copy or else and to his understanding the Post Office are not issuing any "proper receipts" for the payment of fees under RTI Act
4) Reply for the appeal was furnished to RO vide this office letter no CPT/RTI/Digs dated 28.11.2023 stating that without forwarding the receipt for additional document fee, the applicant's statement is baseless and it is as per the software that acknowledgement slips are provided towards payment of RTI fee to the applicant and hence the applicant's verdict is pointless.
5) It is disposed by Departmental Appellate Authority & Director, Postal Services, O/o Postmaster General, Chennai City Region, Chennai-600 002 and First Appellate Authority vide office letter no PG/RII Appeal/PU/24-Nov/2023/CCR dated 12.12.2023 that the CPIO & Sr. Superintendent of Post Offices, Chennai City North Division, Chennai 600
008 reply is in order and upheld.
6) The applicant then preferred the second appeal vide his letter dated 05.02.2024 stating that Public authorities are not issuing Cash receipts for payment of Additional Fee under RTI Act. He had also stated that the copy of the POD shall be supplied after the payment of the additional fee but has denied to issue it as "Certified Copy(ies)" as requested vide his RTI Application or the CPIO's reply is vague in this regard. The article number cited is also incorrect in his appeal text w.rt Chennai City North Division. Thus, the context of the appeal cited by the applicant is itself unclear citing various reasons and does not pertain to the actual information sought.
7) It is submitted that appellant can pay the information fee at any Post Office and a computer generated UCR receipt will be given by the Post Office. The same receipt can be forwarded to the CPIO in token of payment of information fee and CPIO is ready to Page 8 of 10 supply the copy of delivery slip citing delivery confirmation of the article carrying the details of the recipient.
8) It is also submitted that neither any communication regarding non issuance of receipt in any PO is received from the applicant till date nor the requisite additional document fee was paid and sent to this office by the applicant seeking POD copy till date."
Arul Das, SPO & CPIO affirmed that the available information has been provided to the Appellant.
8. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both parties and perusal of records, observes at the outset that considering the cumbersome nature of the information sought for in the RTI Application seeking mammoth details, the replies provided by the CPIO incorporating the available information cannot be called into question Further, it is observed that the FAA had diligently dealt with all contentions of the Appellant and passed a reasoned order leaving for no scope intervention at this stage. As regards the submissions of the CPIO, Chennai North Division, the Commission upholds their contention that the information can be supplied upon payment of the prescribed fee and therefore the Appellant is advised accordingly.
9. The Appeal is dismissed accordingly.
Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.
Sd/-
(Anandi Ramalingam) (आनंदी रामिलंगम) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) िदनांक/Date: 24.06.2025 Authenticated true copy O. P. Pokhriyal (ओ.पी. पोख रयाल) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011-26180514 Page 9 of 10 Addresses of the parties:
1. The Central Public Information Officer, Office of the Sr. Supdt. of Post Offices, Department of Posts, Chennai City North Division, Chennai - 600008
2. The CPIO O/o. The Superintendent of Post Offices, Supdt., & CPIO, Department of Posts, Kanchipuram Division, Kanchipuram -631501
3. Udhayakumar P. Page 10 of 10 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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