Central Information Commission
Kamal Dhingra vs Csir Hqrs.,New Delhi on 19 May, 2023
Author: Vanaja N Sarna
Bench: Vanaja N Sarna
क ीय सुचना आयोग
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
बाबा गंगनाथ माग
Baba Gangnath Marg
मुिनरका,
नरका नई द ली - 110067
Munirka, New Delhi-110067
File no.: CIC/CSIRD/C/2022/658906
In the matter of
Kamal Dhingra
... Complainant
VS
1. CPIO
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research,
Anusnadhan Bhawan, 2, Rafi Marg,
New Delhi - 110001
2. CPIO
Human Resource Development Group,
CSIR Complex, Library Avenue, Pusa,
New Delhi - 110012
3. CPIO
CSIR - Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB)
Head Office, North Campus, Mall Road
Delhi - 110007
... Respondents
RTI application filed on : 13/08/2022 CPIO replied on : 12/09/2022 First appeal filed on : 18/09/2022 First Appellate Authority order : 03/10/2022 Complaint filed on : 06/11/2022 Date of Hearing : 18/05/2023 Date of Decision : 18/05/2023 The following were present: Complainant : Present over VC
Respondent : S.S Mandal, Administrative Officer and CPIO, present over VC at CIC 1 Information Sought:
The Complainant in his complaint has sought the following information on points no. 1, 2, 6 - 10, 14 -21:
1. Provide copies of the food/ refreshment bills towards food/ refreshment taken from India Habitat Centre (IHC) in r/o office of Dr. S.K. Brahmachari, the then DG-CSIR during his entire tenure at CSIR Hqrs. clearly mentioning total amount paid to IHC during his tenure. Provide copies of bills paid to IHC for items other than food items during the entire tenure of Dr. S.K. Brahmachari.
2. Provide detailed information and copies of all bills paid/ reimbursed in respect of all domestic/ international official tours of Sh. K.R. Vaidheeswaran, former JS(A) during his entire tenure at CSIR Hqrs. Provide copies of OM of all the tours approved.
6. In r/o CSIR Hqrs and CSIR Complex provide detailed information and copies of all the staff car maintenance bills passed from 1st January, 2003 to 31st December, 2009.
7- 10, 14 -21. And other related information. Grounds for Complaint The CPIO did not provide the desired information. Submissions made by Complainant and Respondent during Hearing:
The complainant pressed for copy of bills and stated that information sought was not provided.
The CPIO reiterated the written submissions dated 11.05.2023. Observations:
The Commission observed that the CPIO had rightly offered inspection in this case. The Complaint has no merit as there was no wrongful denial or obstruction of information. The complainant had sought all and sundry information mostly of third parties and therefore, there was no scope for providing the same without inspection. Moreover, the nature of queries clearly shows harassment of the public authority and angst against the respondent. Therefore, the CPIO's reply was considered just and proper. Decision:
The Commission observed that the present complaint was filed under Section 18 of the RTI Act, 2005 where the Commission was only required to ascertain if the information has been denied with a malafide intent or due to an unreasonable cause or under any other clause of Section-18. Since records of 2 the case do not indicate any such deliberate denial or concealment of information on the part of the CPIO, the Commission concluded that there was no cause of action which would necessitate action under the provisions of the Section 20(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 in the instant complaint.
The complaint is disposed of accordingly.
वनजा एन.
Vanaja N. Sarna (वनजा एन सरना) सरना सूचना आयु ) Information Commissioner (सू Authenticated true copy (अिभ मािणत स यािपत ित) A.K. Assija (ऐ.के . असीजा) Dy. Registrar (उप-पंजीयक) 011- 26182594 / दनांक / Date 3