Central Information Commission
Mr.S A Khan vs Ministry Of Railways on 12 October, 2011
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/C/2011/001080
Date of Decision : Oct 12, 2011
Parties:
Complainant
1. Mr. S A Khan
S/o Mr. M A Khan
Novodaya Vidyalaya
Sonbarshaghat
Khagaria, Bihar - 851 201
2. Mr. M A Khan
Retd. Chief Controller,
Sakarwar Mohalla,
Vill & PO Bara,
District Ghazipur - 232 325,
UP
Respondent
CPIO,
Office of the Chief Medical Officer,
Railway Hospital,
Mughalsarai
Information Commissioner(s) : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
_______________________________________________________________
Decision Notice
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/C/2011/001080
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dated 07.02.2011 seeking information about reimbursement that can be claimed by his father, Sh. M A Khan, on account of being a Retd. Railway employee, documents required to be submitted in order to claim such reimbursement and also format, if any, of such documents. The PIO/ Chief Medical Superintendent responded vide communication dated 18.02.2011 providing point wise information stating that if the Applicant's father was eligible to claim reimbursement if he possessed the employee health scheme card. It was further stated that the documentation required and format etc. were available on the internet as also in the office where RELHS Card is registered for treatment.
2. The records indicate that the Applicant's father subsequently submitted his documents including medical bills etc. alongwith covering letter dated 18.03.2011 before the Chief Medical Superintendent for the purpose of processing of his claim. Upon non receipt of any response, the Applicant's father filed another RTI application dated 23.04.2011 which was resent on 30.04.2011. By a letter dated 04.05.2011, the Chief Medical Superintendent, Mughalsarai responded that there is no PIO nor any such post existent in the office.
3. Aggrieved with the response of the PIO, the Applicant approached the Central Information Commission with the instant Complaint dated 19.05.2011. The Complainant reiterated his RTI request rebutting the contentions of the Chief Medical Superintendent. Decision
4. At the very outset, the Commission notes that the same Chief Medical Superintendent has responded differently on both the RTI applications of the Applicant and his father. While the queries raised by the son were addressed, in case of responding to the Father's application, the same person (the identity being affirmed from the similar signatures) denied that any post of PIO exists in the Mughalsarai office. The Commission seeks explanation from the Chief Medical Superintendent, Railway Hospital, Mughalsarai about such contradictory replies. The Commission further directs the Chief Medical Superintendent to ensure that the information as sought by the Applicant NO. 2 is furnished and his claim for medical reimbursement expeditiously processed. The process/es to be completed and explanation to Commission to be sent by 30th Nov 2011.
5. The case is disposed on the above terms.
(Annapurna Dixit) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian) Deputy Registrar Cc:
1. Mr. S A Khan S/o Mr. M A Khan Novodaya Vidyalaya Sonbarshaghat Khagaria, Bihar - 851 201
2. Mr. M A Khan Retd. Chief Controller, Sakarwar Mohalla, Vill & PO Bara, District Ghazipur - 232 325, UP
3. CPIO, Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Railway Hospital, Mughalsarai
4. Officer in Charge, NIC