Central Information Commission
Mr.Ram Murari vs Ministry Of Railways on 30 September, 2011
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/001747
Date of Hearing : September 30, 2011
Date of Decision : September 30, 2011
Parties:
Applicant
Shri Ram Murari
86, Brijdham Colony
Street No.04
4, Azad Nagar
Behind Arya Samaj
Moradabad
The Applicant was present at NIC Studio, Moradabad
Respondents
Northern Railway
Divisional Railway Manager's Office
Moradabad Division
Moradabad
Represented by : Shri Rajiv Trehan, PIO & Sr.DMM
Shri Awadesh Kumar, APO
NIC Studio, Moradabad
Information Commissioner : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
___________________________________________________________________
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/001747
ORDER
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI Application dt.5.1.11 with the PIO, DRM Office, Northern Railway, Moradabad seeking names of all those trackman, gatemen, keyman and trolleymen who had died in accidents during the period 1.1.1999 to 31.7.10. The PIO replied on 3.2.11 stating that it is not possible to provide the information since the names are scattered in the register on different pages the compilation of which will take time and effort. He requested the Applicant to visit the office and inspect the documents. Not satisfied with the reply, the Applicant filed an appeal dt.11.2.11 with the Appellate Authority and on not receiving any reply from the FAA , he filed a second appeal dt.3.5.11 before CIC.
Decision
2. During the hearing, the Respondents submitted that information sought by the Appellant is spread across five or six registers and it includes information about all the deaths of all the employees, not only due to accidents but also under normal circumstances and that to cull out the information which the Appellant requires would disproportionately divert the resources of the Public Authority. In response to the Appellant's query as to whether any compensation has been given to those who died in accidents and whether the children of those died were given appointment on compassionate ground, the Respondents stated that all details are available but are scattered 6 registers.
3. The Commission after hearing the Respondents agrees with the PIO that the compilation of information would indeed disproportionately divert the resources of the Public Authority and therefore directs the PIO to allow the Appellant to inspect the relevant registers on a mutually convenient date and time so that he can glean from them the information required by him and to provide him with attested copies of documents, if he requires the same, on payment of Rs.2/ per page. This exercise to be completed by 30.10.11.
4. The appeal is disposed of with the above directions.
(Annapurna Dixit) Information Commissioner Authenticated true copy (G.Subramanian) Deputy Registrar Cc:
1. Shri Ram Murari 86, Brijdham Colony Street No.04 4, Azad Nagar Behind Arya Samaj Moradabad
2. The Public Information Officer Northern Railway Divisional Railway Manager's Office Moradabad Division Moradabad
3. The Appellate Authority Northern Railway Divisional Railway Manager's Office Moradabad Division Moradabad
4. Officer in charge, NIC Note: In case, the Commission's above directives have not been complied with by the Respondents, the Appellant/Complainant may file a formal complaint with the Commission under Section 18(1) of the RTIAct, giving (1) copy of RTIapplication, (2) copy of the Commission's decision, and (3) any other documents which he/she considers to be necessary for deciding the complaint. In the prayer, the Appellant/Complainant may indicate, what information has not been provided.