Addressing the issue of an out of order telephone connection through RTI
16 Jul, 2013Background
The appellant’s telephone was out of order and even after filing complaint with the authorities the service was not resumed. Later he filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) seeking information in this regard. The Public Information Officer (PIO) provided some information.
Proceedings
During the hearing before the Central Information Commission (CIC), the appellant stated that telephone number was installed at his parent’s residence and the same frequently remains out of order and he has lodged two complaints but satisfactory information has not been provided. The respondent explained that the telephone is installed at a distance of approximately 06 KM from the exchange and the cable is extensively damaged and hence it is not possible to put the telephone in working order in the near future. The respondent stated that instead of that he can immediately install a fixed wireless phone (working on mobile technology) at the said premises without charging any installation fee. The appellant stated that he would be satisfied if the fixed wireless phone is installed and that the respondent should take appropriate steps to replace the damaged cable in due course.
View of CIC
The Commission held that the respondent should ensure that a fixed wireless phone (working on mobile technology) is installed without charging any installation fee.
Citation: Mr. Shyam Charan Pandey v. BSNL in File No. CIC/BS/A/2012/001141/2758
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2013/CIC/1455
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission