Central Information Commission
Mr. Laxman Singh Rawat vs New Delhi Municipal Council on 18 January, 2010
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
Club Building, Opposite Ber Sarai Market,
Old JNU Campus, New Delhi - 110067.
Tel: +91-11-26161796
Decision No.CIC/SG/A/2009/003065/6439
Appeal No. CIC/SG/A/2009/003065
Appellant : Mr. Laxman Singh Rawat
Room No. 213, 1st Floor,
Indian Council of Research Institute,
V. Ramalinga Swami Bhawan,
Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029
Respondent : Mr. Panini Gupta
Public Information Officer & Executive Engineer (Comml.) Commercial Department, New Delhi Municipal Council, Palika Kendra, Sansad Marg, New Delhi-110001 RTI application filed on : 15/07/2009 PIO replied : 24/08/2009 First Appeal filed on : 10/09/2009 First Appellate Authority order : Not enclosed Second Appeal Received on : 07/12/2009 Notice of Hearing Sent on : 15/12/2009 Hearing Held on : 18/01/2010 Appellant sought information regarding meter reading, adjustment of a bill, adjustment process of the bill, guidelines for adjustment of the bill passed by the council, time for adjustment of the bill, full details of standards fixed for adjustment & process of refunding excess bill. After reply of the PIO, Appellant sought following information (out of 13):
Sl Information Sought Reply of PIO
2. Which type of bill is sent in the case of not At presence of a consumer, it is essential for a meter recording the bill as shown in reading reading staff to read the meter whether reading meter meter? Name of official who is responsible works properly. for this.
3. Photocopy of guidelines/directions An adjustment is made after next reading, if premises determined for process of adjusting a bill. locked. The assessment is done for adjustment if meter does not work properly.
4. Whether adjustment of bill is done in 3rd or A continue adjustment of the interim bill is made if a 4th bill. If yes, then basis of the adjustment reading meter works properly otherwise assessment is of bill and the method of doing so. done after changing the reading meter(which does not work properly).
5. In which bill adjustment will done if it is An assessment is done after replacing the meter which not adjusted in 3rd or 4th bill. shows incorrect reading. If premised is locked then assessment is done in 3rd or 4th month.
6. Whether a time is fixed for adjustment of An adjustment is made after noting down a reading of the bill. Whether the council had the new meter and doing assessment. If a premise is guidelines/directions for fixing time. locked then required adjustment is done after reading Photocopy of official memorandum in this meter.
regard.
7. Whether an adjustment is possible at the At the time of vacating residence, an adjustment is time of vacating residence. If yes, how is possible if the reading meter does not work properly. the adjustment possible? Give details of the process.
9. How is the adjustment process done? Full The process of adjustment is best as reading is not taken details of standards apply on adjustment of if premises locked and an interim billing is done which the bill. is adjusted after noting the reading of the meter.
10. Whether it depends on- consumer or It is must to take permission from the council for Council, for changing of existing meter of a changing the position of the meter of water & particular residence. electricity.
11. Whether a meter reading starts -continuing After changing the meter, reading of a new meter starts from old one or from new. Whether the from 0. Sometimes, if a new meter is not available then reading starts from old one continuing to meter is set on last reading. new meter. Give full details.
13. Process of refunding of excess bill (paid by The adjustment of an interim bill is done after observing a consumer), if adjustment not made in the reading of new meter. An access amount must be interim bill. refunded if it charged access.
Grounds for First Appeal:
Misleading & incomplete information. Not provided as sought. Order of the First Appellate Authority:
Hearing held but not enclosed copy of the FAA's order.
Grounds for Second Appeal:
Information as sought, not provided Relevant Facts emerging during Hearing: The following were present:
Appellant: Mr. Laxman Singh Rawat;
Respondent: Mr. Panini Gupta, Public Information Officer & Executive Engineer (Comml.);
The PIO states that the FAA had passed order on 14/11/2009. It appears that the PIO has provided the available information to the Appellant.
Decision:
The appeal is dismissed.
The available information has been provided.
This decision is announced in open chamber. Notice of this decision be given free of cost to the parties. Any information in compliance with this Order will be provided free of cost as per Section 7(6) of RTI Act.
Shailesh Gandhi Information Commissioner 18 January 2010 (In any correspondence on this decision, mention the complete decision number.)Rnj