Change of qualification of Engineers for appointment under MGNREGA by State Governments – PIO: matter was deliberated in the meeting of State Ministers and Secretaries (RD&PR) held on 22.9.2010 - CIC: provide a copy of the minutes of meeting and guideline
4 Nov, 2013Information relating to change of qualification of Engineers for appointment under MGNREGA by the State Governments – PIO: matter relating to staffing for Gram Panchayats was deliberated in the meeting of the State Ministers and Secretaries (RD&PR) held on 22.9.2010 and accordingly necessary guidelines relating to staffing for Gram Panchayats were issued in this regard – CIC: provide a copy of the Minutes of meeting
ORDER
Shri Raj Kishore Madhukar, hereinafter called the appellant, has filed the present appeal dated 4.1.2013 before the Commission against the respondent Ministry of Rural Development, New Delhi not providing satisfactory information in response to his RTI-application dated 7.8.2011. The appellant was absent whereas the respondent were represented by Shri Subrata Sanyal, Under Secretary.
2. The appellant through his RTI application dated 7.8.2011 sought information on three queries relating to change of qualification of Engineers for appointment under MGNREGA by the State Governments. The CPIO vide letter No. K-11018/18/2011-MGNREGA dated 7.9.2011 informed the appellant that as per MoRD instruction No. N-11012/11/2010 dated 12.11.2010 read with instruction No. M-13015/03/2010-MGNREGA dated 7.6.2011 informed the appellant on Point No. 1 of the RTI application that the essential qualifications for JE is Bachelor of Engineering in Civil from a recognized institution or equivalent. However, if degree holders are not available, Diploma holders could be considered. On remaining points the appellant was informed that since the rule position are clear, situations mentioned in these points does not arise.
3. During the hearing the respondent CPIO states that the matter relating to staffing for Gram Panchayats was deliberated in the meeting of the State Ministers and Secretaries (RD&PR) held on 22.9.2010 and accordingly necessary guidelines relating to staffing for Gram Panchayats were issued in this regard.
4. Having considered the submissions of the parties and perused the relevant documents on record, the Commission is of the view that as far as the information relating to the RTI queries of the appellant is concerned, these have been addressed by the CPIO vide his letter dated 7.9.2011. However, in view of above submissions of the CPIO, the Commission hereby directs the CPIO to provide an authenticated copy of the guidelines for providing staff in Gram Panchayats and in particular engineers appointed under MGNREGA, along with a copy of the Minutes of State Ministers and Secretaries meeting held on 22.9.2010 in this regard, to the appellant free of cost. The CPIO will comply with the directions of the Commission within two weeks of receipt of this order. The matter is disposed of on the part of the Commission.
(Sushma Singh)
Information Commissioner
Citation: Shri Vijay Chaudhary v. Ministry of Rural Development in Case No. CIC/SS/A/2013/000823