Central Information Commission
Mredara Gopi Chand vs Ministry Of Information & Broadcasting on 25 March, 2015
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place,
New Delhi-110066
No.CIC/YA/C/2014/000255
Date of Hearing : 25.03.2015
Date of Decision : 25.03.2015
Appellant/Complainant : Shri Edara Gopi Chand
Guntur
Respondent : Shri Ajoy G. Majorwar, Asst. Director/CPIO
Electronic Media Monitoring Centre
M/o Information & Broadcasting
New Delhi
Information Commissioner : Shri Yashovardhan Azad
Relevant facts emerging from appeal/complaint:
RTI application filed on : 09.11.2012
PIO replied on : 20.12.2012
First Appeal filed on : 17.01.2013
First Appellate Authority (FAA) order on : 12.02.2013
Second Appeal/complaint received on : 27.03.2014
Information sought:
Complainant sought information on 16 points regarding various issues pertaining to the functioning of Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC).
Relevant facts emerging during hearing:
Both parties are present and the appellant is heard through video conference.
The complainant sought the above information by filing an RTI application dated 09.11.2012. PIO vide letter dated 20.12.2012, provided point wise reply. The FAA vide order dated 12.02.2013 disposed of the appeal upholding the decision of the PIO. Being not satisfied with the response of the public authority, complainant filed the present complaint before the Commission.
The complainant submits that the information regarding violation of programmes and advertising codes, which is the core work of EMMC is not provided to him and requested to direct the authority to publish the same u/s 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act on their website. Respondent submits that EMMC has got the mandate to point out violations in the electronic media as per the provisions of the Cable Television (Regulations) Network Act, 1995. The mandate of the office is to submit the violations before the Scrutiny Committee, the Committee prepares a report and submits the same to the Ministry or the concerned dept. for necessary action as deemed fit by them. In case, any complaint is received in EMMC, the same is forwarded to the M/o I & B for necessary action. He further submits that EMMC was situated at IP Estate, New Delhi has recently been shifted to its new office Soochna, Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, due to this reason, website of EMMC is under construction and is likely to be re-launched in a month. On a query by the Commission as to what is the no. of violations in the previous year found by EMMC, respondent submitted that more than 13000 violations have been found including the advertisement violations.
Decision:
After hearing both parties and on perusal of record, the Commission notes that the demand of the complainant to publish the information regarding violations of the codes appears to be a reasonable demand and the Commission under its powers under Section 19(8) (a) (iii) directs the CPIO to ensure that the block figures of the violations report along with the major categories be placed on the website of the EMMC within the one month period after the re- launching of the same. This would be in fulfilment of its obligation under Section 4(1) (b) (xvii) of the RTI Act.
The complaint is disposed of accordingly.
(Yashovardhan Azad) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy. Additional copies of orders shall be supplied against application and payment of the charges prescribed under the Act to the CPIO of this Commission.
(B.D. Harit) Deputy Secretary & Deputy Registrar