Central Information Commission
Shri Madan Mohan Lal Sobti vs Northern Railway on 18 June, 2009
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
Appeal No. CIC/SG/C/2008/00486/OP dated 21.05.2008
Right to Information Act 2005 - Section 19
Name of the Appellant : Shri Madan Mohan Lal Sobti
Name of the Public Authority : Northern Railway
BACKGROUND:
In his RTI application dated 3.1.2008 Shri Madan Mohan Lal Sobti (85 yrs) from Ludhiana has asked for information his medical reimbursement claim files which according to the applicant were tempered with and misplaced leading to extra -ordinary delays in reimbursement of medical claims bills which caused the Appellant great harassment, suffering and financial hardship since 1998.
2. The Appellant has been able to get the redressal from the District Consumer Court on 21.4.2009 and has now asked for information on the delays at each stage viz. Personnl/Medical/Accounts of his three medical reimbursement claims dated 15.5.2000, 29.2.2000 and 12.1.1998.
3. The Bench of Mrs. Omita Paul, Information Commissioner, heard the matter on 18the June, 2009.
4. Shri Ravindra Kumar, Dy. GM/Law, Dr. V.K. Sinha, Dy.CMD, Shri Ramesh Chander, AHEO and Shri Anish Kumar, Sr. Clerk Dealer represented the Respondent.
5. Neither Shri Madan Mohan Lal Sobti nor his representative was present.
Decision:
6. The Commission heard the Respondent and also took cognisance of the unsigned document sent through Fax by the Appellant since the Appellant is senior citizen aged 85 years. The Commission noted that the Appellant has now sought information on reason and intension of the delays in reimbursement of his claims dated 15.5.2000, 29.2.2000 and 12.1.1998. According to the Appellant these cases were delayed and the claims were settled after 2 years in the first case, 3 years in second case and 2 years and 329 days in the third case. The appellant wants to know the details of the delays at each stage viz. Personnel/Medical/Accounts of the Ferozepur/Moradabad Divisions. On enquiry the Respondent stated that the claims have to be settled within 55 days as per the schedule prescribed by the Railway Board. A copy of the RTI request received from the Appellant was handed over to the Respondent. The Commission directed the Respondent to send this information to the Appellant within 3 weeks.
7. The case is thus disposed of.
The decision announced on conclusion of the hearing. Notice of decision be given free of cost to the parties.
(Omita Paul) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy.
(Dhirendra Kumar) Under secretary & Assistant Registrar 18.06.2009 Copy to:
1. Shri Madan Mohan Lal Sobti, R/o B-XXIV, 2910, Sunder Nagar, Rahon Road, Ludhiana, Punjab 141007.
2. Shri Ravindra Kumar, Dy. GM, Northern Railway, Baroda House, New Delhi-110001
3. Officer-in-Charge, NIC
4. Press E Group, CIC