Central Information Commission
Nitin Singhvi vs Ministry Of Environment & Forests on 14 May, 2025
केन्द्रीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ मागग, मुननरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई निल्ली, New Delhi - 110067
File No: CIC/MOENF/A/2024/603884
Nitin Singhvi .....अपीलकर्ाग /Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
PIO,
Ministry of Environment,
Forest & Climate Change,
6th Floor, Vayu Wing. Indira
Paryawaran Bhawan, Jore Bag
Road, Aliganj, New Delhi - 110003 ....प्रनर्वािीगण /Respondent
Date of Hearing : 07.05.2025
Date of Decision : 14.05.2025
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER : Vinod Kumar Tiwari
Relevant facts emerging from appeal:
RTI application filed on : 20.09.2023
CPIO replied on : 27.09.2023
First appeal filed on : 31.10.2023
First Appellate Authority's order : 28.12.2023
2nd Appeal/Complaint dated : 29.01.2024
Information sought:
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 20.09.2023 (online) seeking the following information:
"Nitin Singhvi sent a letter dtd 19.05.2023 vide letter No. LTG 08A/2023, addressed to Ms. Leena Nandan, Secretary MoEF&CC.Page 1 of 5
Ms Leena Nandan, Secretary MoEF&CC on 19.05.2023 forwarded the mail to Mr. Satyajit Mishra. A copy of the mail being forwarded to Mr. Satyajit Mishra is attached as a proof with a copy of the above mentioned letter.
Please provide the documents pertaining to the action taken by the Ministry (MoEF&CC) on the above said letter including note sheet and copy(ies) of the letter(s) written after receipt of the above letter."
2. The CPIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 27.09.2023 stating as under:
"This is in reply to your RTI application dated 20/09/2023 seeking information regarding an email dated 19/05/2023 vide letter no. LTG 08A/2023 sent to secretary in this regard it is stated that Sh. Satyajit Mishra, JS has forwarded your representation to Shree Arvind kumar Agarwal on 19/05/2023 for taking further necessary action (copy attached)."
3. Being dissatisfied, the appellant filed a First Appeal dated 31.10.2023. The FAA vide its order dated 28.12.2023, held as under:
"The appeal was inadvertently sent by RTI Cell. It does not relate to HSM Division. Hence disposed of."
4. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied, appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.
Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:
The following were present:-
Appellant: Not Present.
Respondent: Shri Vikram Singh, Deputy Secretary & FAA and Shri Parveen, Under Secretary & CPIO present in person.
5. Written submissions of the Appellant are taken on record.
6. Written submissions of the Respondent are taken on record and the same is reproduced hereinbelow:
Written submissions dated 06.05.2025:Page 2 of 5
"2. Shri Nitin Singhvi, the applicant had sent a letter on 09.03.2023 addressed to the then Secretary (EF&CC), DGF&SS, ADGF and IGF expressing concern on increasing temperature due to climate change and man animal conflicts due to climate change. He had not sought any information under RTI Act 2005 and only made some suggestions for tackling climate change.
3 Applicant's suggestions have been noted. In future, whenever any action to address the concern on increasing temperature due to climate change and man
- animal conflict is taken and implemented, information is provided in the Annual Report published by the Ministry.
4. While citizens' suggestions and feedback are important, they are considered within the framework of existing regulations and directives. Ministries have defined roles and responsibilities, and their actions are guided by specific policies and law."
Written submissions dated 07.05.2025:
"2. Shri Nitin Singhvi, the Applicant had sent a letter on 09.03.2023 addressed to the then Secretary (EF&CC), DGF&SS, ADGF and IGF expressing concern on increasing temperature due to climate change and man animal conflicts due to climate change. He had not sought any information under RTI Act 2005 and only made some suggestions for tackling climate change.
3. Subsequently Shri Singhvi sent a letter dated 19.05.2023 addressed to the then Secretary (EF&CC) with request to issue directions to take action on the suggestions in the letter dated 09.03.2023.
4. Shri Singhvi filed an RTI Application on 20.09.2023 seeking information regarding action taken on the letter dated 19.05.2023. The RTI Application was replied by Shri Vinod Kumar the then CPIO(RTI)/Nodal officer (MoEF&CC) on 27.09.2023 stating that Shri Satyajit Mishra, JS had forwarded representation (of the applicant) to Shri Arvind Kumar Agarwal, Director (General Coordination) on 19.05.2023 for taking further necessary action.
5. Shri Singhvi filed an appeal with reference to the RTI application dated 20.09.2023 which was disposed of by FAA Hazardous Substances Management Division (HSMD).
6 Applicant's suggestions in his letter dated 09.03.2023 have been noted. Information in respect of actions taken to address the issues related to climate Page 3 of 5 change and man-animal conflicts is provided in the Annual Report published by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
7. While citizens' suggestions and feedback are important, they are considered within the framework of existing regulations and directives. Ministries have defined roles and responsibilities, and their actions are guided by specific policies and law".
7. The Respondent submitted that now at the stage of second appeal, they have provided complete factual position in the matter to the Appellant. Decision:
8. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing the Respondent and perusal of the records, observes that the Appellant is aggrieved in his second appeal that complete information has not been provided to him by the Respondent within stipulated period as per the provisions of the RTI Act.
9. On the other hand, the Respondents contended that now at the stage of second appeal, they have provided complete information to the Appellant which was shared with him.
10. The Commission observes that at the stage of second appeal the Respondent has provided requisite information to the Appellant. The said written submissions of the Respondents are being treated as an updated reply to the instant RTI application, which the Respondent has already shared with the Appellant.
11. No further intervention of the Commission is required in the matter.
The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Vinod Kumar Tiwari (विनोद कुमार वििारी) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयुक्त) Authenticated true copy (अनिप्रमानणर् सत्यानपर् प्रनर्) (S. Anantharaman) Dy. Registrar 011- 26181927 Date Page 4 of 5 Copy To:
The FAA, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, 6th Floor, Vayu Wing. Indira Paryawaran Bhawan, Jore Bag Road, Aliganj New Delhi - 110003 Page 5 of 5 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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