Central Information Commission
Mr.Ashok R.Rasalkar vs Central Railway, Mumbai, Central ... on 25 May, 2009
Central Information Commission
CIC/OK/A/09/00041-AD
Dated May 25, 2009
Name of the Applicant : Mr.Ashok R.Rasalkar
Name of the Public Authority : Central Railway, Mumbai
Central Railway, Solapur
Railway Board, New Delhi
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.28.5.07 with the CPIO, CR, Solapur.
He requested for information against 10 points including the following:
i) The Railway Minister has announced in Rail Budget 2007-08 that every mail and express trains will carry six General bogies. Whether this rule is implemented or not. If not, when it will be implemented.
ii) At present, for Karnataka Express how many General bogies are attached
iii) For Karnataka Express No tickets are issued for less than 600 KM whereas Solapur Station Master issues tickets for Ahmad Nagar Station which is less than 300 Km. Why? Why at Gulbarga Station should not issue tickets for Solapur Station
iv) Why there is no concessional rate board at Gulbarga for different categories of people i.e for Blind, handicapped, senior citizen or seriously ailing people so that people may avail this concession.
The CPIO, CR, Solapur replied on 30.6.07 furnishing point wise information including the following:
i) All Mail/Express trains running through SUR Division and originating Mail/Express trains of the Division are having 2 SLRs and 2 CS except train No.6339/6340 which is having 3 GS and 2 SLRs. Attachment of 6 GS in all Mail/Express trains is a policy matter and will be decided by HQ/Railway Board. It will be implemented as soon as the coaches are available and instructions received from HQ/Railway Board
ii) At present train No.2627/2628 is running with 2 GS and 2 SLRs
iii) Special permission has been granted by HQ/Railway Board to issue tickets by KK Express between Solapur to Ahmednagar & vice-versa
iv) Railways provide large number of concessions to various categories of travelers like students, sports person, scouts and guide, farmers and industrial workers, nurses, teachers, Sr. citizen, physically handicapped and mentally retarded persons etc. It is not practically possible to display concessional rates (fares) board at stations. For easy reference a Rail Travel Concession Table is drawn up with all the details and are published in the Time Table for the guidance of travelers.
Not satisfied with the reply, the Applicant filed an appeal dt.14.8.07 with the Appellate Authority. The Appellate Authority, CR, Solapur Division replied on 4.10.07 providing additional clarification. Aggrieved with the reply of the Appellte Authority, the Applicant filed a second appeal dt.nil before the CIC.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for May 25, 2009.
3. Mr. N.A. Patil, Sr. DCM/SUR, Mr. V.R. Chaudhary, STM(Coach), Mr. P.M. Motwani, APIO (HQ), Mr. V.G. Rao, CTI (C), Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CPG-I and Mr. R. Sethumadhavan, CCI,SUR represented the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant was not present during the hearing.
Decision
4. The Respondent submitted that in response to the first appeal, the Appellate Authority invited the Appellant for a personal hearing on 18.9.07. The Appellant, however, did not attend the hearing. The Appellate Authority then provided further point wise clarification to the Appellant in his Order dated 4.10.07. The Commission noted that both in the first and second appeals, the Appellant has only provided certain suggestions to the Public Authority and has not sought any information. It was also noted that complete information has been furnished to the Appellant vide CPIO's letter dated 30.6.07 and the Appellate Authority's letter dated 4.10.07.
6. The appeal is accordingly disposed off.
(Annapurna Dixit) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy:
(G. Subramanian) Asst. Registrar Cc:
1. Mr.Ashok R.Rasalkar Geeta Agencies 8-483/4, Fort Road Gulbarga 585 101
2. The PIO Central Railway Divisional Railway Manager's Office Solapur Division Solapur
3. The Appellate Authority O/o Divisional Railway Manager Central Railway Commercial Branch Solapur
4. Officer in charge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC