Central Information Commission
Shri Shripal Jain vs North Western Railway Hq, Jaipur on 12 March, 2010
Central Information Commission
CIC/AD/A/2010/000045
Dated March 12, 2010
Name of the Applicant : Shri Shripal Jain
Name of the Public Authority : North Western Railway HQ
Jaipur
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.17.9.09 with the PIO, North Western Railway HQ, Jaipur requesting for his discharge certificate from Soni Hospital, list of medicines and list of expenses, date from which the hospital is on roll for direct employees for treatment and also requesting for sanction of supply of needle and strip for testing his blood sugar levels. The applicant filed an appeal dt.19.10.09 with the Appellate Authority reiterating his request for the information. Shri Ambarish Kumar Gupta, Appellate Authority replied on 4.11.09 providing the information. However, being aggrieved with the reply, the applicant filed a second appeal dt.14.11.09 reiterating his request for the information.
2. The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for March 12, 2010.
3. Shri Rajeev Singh, PIO, Dr.Raj Kumar, Deemed PIO and Shri M.K.Sharma, APIO represented the Public Authority.
4. The Applicant was heard through audio conferencing.
Decision
5. The Respondent Shri Rajeev Singh submitted that RTI application was received on 22.9.09 and on 6.10.09 partial information was provided and the Applicant was also requested to provide some further details to enable them to provide further information which the Applicant provided only on 25.11.09. Complete information was then furnished to the Appellant on 18.12.09. The Respondent further stated that some of the payments were not admissible as per rules due to the fact that the Appellant, while he had taken emergency treatment from a private hospital with the permission of the Railway authorities, had also taken OPD treatment in the same hospital and has claimed reimbursement for the OP treatment which is not allowed as per rules. With regard to the applicant's complaint about non payment of some bills the Respondent stated that the requisite form which was submitted was not duly filled in by the applicant who had not supplied the duly complete form even after he was informed about it. As for the applicant's request for supply of needle and strip being delivered to him, the Respondent submitted that there is no such provision in the rules . However, the applicant may wish to appeal to the competent authority in this case for relaxation of rules. The appellant who was heard through by means of audio conferencing maintained that he did not receive any information from the Respondents. The Respondents refuted this charge and produced a copy of the reply sent to the appellant , before the Commission.
6. The Commission after hearing the submissions of both sides holds that complete information has been provide. However, in view of the applicant's contention that no information has been received by him, directs the PIO once again to send the copy of the reply to the applicant once again and also to provide a copy of the rules by which needle and strips are not admissible in his case. The name and designation of the competent authority to whom the applicant should apply for relaxation of rules for supply of needle and strip may be furnished to the appellant of besides . The Applicant may also be informed about the right procedure to be adopted while filling up forms for relaxation of rules and the name of the name and designation of the competent authority to whom he should appeal in respect of the reimbursement in the case of OPD treatment.
7. The information should reach the appellant by 15.4.10 and the appellant to submit a compliance report to the Commission by 20.4.10.
8. The appeal is accordingly disposed of.
(Annapurna Dixit) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy:
(G.Subramanian) Deputy Registrar Cc:
1. Shri Shripal Jain S/o Late Shri R.S.Jain R/o 4-B, Kabir Marg Banipark Jaipur
2. The PIO North Western Railway Headquarter Office Hasanpura Road Jaipur
3. The Appellate Authority North Western Railway Headquarter Office Hasanpura Road Jaipur
4. Officer incharge, NIC
5. Press E Group, CIC