Central Information Commission
Mr. Deepak Kumar Pal vs Staff Selection Commission on 15 February, 2013
Central Information Commission, New Delhi
File No.CIC/SM/A/2012/001216
Right to Information Act2005Under Section (19)
Date of hearing : 15 February 2013
Date of decision : 15 February 2013
Name of the Appellant : Shri Deepak Kumar Pal,
Res. 70, New Civil Lines,
Nagheta Road, Hardoi, UP
Name of the Public Authority : Shri Ashok Kumar Vijay,
Under Secretary & CPIO,
Staff Selection Commission,
CGO Complex, Block No. 12,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
The Appellant was present.
On behalf of the Respondent, Shri Ashok Kumar Vijay, CPIO was
present.
Chief Information Commissioner : Shri Satyananda Mishra
2. The Appellant was present in the Hardoi studio NIC. The Respondent was present in our chamber. We heard both their submissions.
3. The Appellant had wanted to know the difference between civilian and noncivilian employees of the Central Government and whether an Assistant Loco Pilot of the Indian Railways would be entitled to any age relaxation, a facility normally available to the central civilian employees. The CPIO had, in a belated reply, informed him that the details of age relaxation could be found in CIC/SM/A/2012/001216 the notifications issued, from time to time, for various jobs. In the meanwhile, the Appellant had filed an appeal but it is not clear if the Appellate Authority had disposed of his appeal.
4. During the hearing, the Appellant submitted that all that he wanted to know was if he, an Assistant Loco Pilot of the Indian Railways, was a civilian employee and would be entitled to the age relaxation for various Central Government jobs. While we appreciate the reply given by the CPIO, we would still like him to find out if there is any general circular on the subject of age relaxation for Central Government civilian employees and, if there is one, he must provide a copy of that to the Appellant within 10 working days of receiving this order.
5. In this case, the RTI application was filed on 27 February 2012 whereas the CPIO had responded to him only on 24 May 2012, that is, nearly 2 months beyond the stipulated period. About this delay, the Respondent submitted that the original RTI application was never received in their office and they came to know about it only when the Appellant approached the first Appellate Authority. Even though it appears somewhat strange that the RTI application never reached the office of the northern region of the SSC, we would not impose any penalty on the CPIO as the application had not reached him when it was first sent.
6. This appeal is disposed of accordingly.
7. Copies of this order be given free of cost to the parties. CIC/SM/A/2012/001216 (Satyananda Mishra) Chief 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.
(Vijay Bhalla) Deputy Registrar Copy to: Shri N.K. Raghupathy, Chairman, Staff Selection Commission, Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi for Information & necessary action CIC/SM/A/2012/001216