Copy of an appointment letter and final dues was denied stating that the record was 50 years old and it is not possible to trace any file or any information on the basis of the details given in RTI application – CIC: appeal dismissed
17 Jun, 2015ORDER
RTI application:
1. The appellant filed an RTI application on 01.05.2013 seeking information pertaining to copy of an appointment letter and final dues.
2. The CPIO responded on 10.06.2013 and denied information to the appellant as the information sought is not specific and 50 years old. The appellant filed his first appeal on 04.07.2013 with the first appellate authority (FAA). The FAA responded on 19.7.2013 and upheld the decision of CPIO. The appellant filed a second appeal on 24.09.2013 with the Commission.
Hearing:
3. The appellant's representative participated in the hearing personally. The respondent participated in the hearing through video conferencing.
4. The appellant's representative referred to the RTI application of 01.05.2013 and stated that he is the son of an employee of the Railway and he is seeking information about his father. The appellant's representative said that his father was working as a Control Mechanic Khalasi in Hanumangarh railway station.
5. When the appellant's representative was asked what was the date of the employment, the appellant's representative said that the date was not known, but he does know that his father was working on 11.07.1972 at Hanumangarh railway station. In this light, the appellant's representative said that he wants the following:
(i) copy of letter of appointment of his father;
(ii) provident fund account statement;
(iii) copy of service book of his father;
(iv) terms of working; and
(v) reason for his father's removal from service.
6. The respondent stated that the CPIO in his reply to the appellant on 10.06.2013 informed that they do not have the record as this record is more than 50 years old.
7.The appellant's representative stated that the respondent is making a wrong statement and that the appellant's representative said that the respondent has the record because there are so many employees who have attained the age of 80, 90 years and more and who are getting pension and it is not possible to believe that the record is not available.
8. The respondent stated that it is not possible to trace any file or any information on the basis of the present RTI application.
Decision:
9. Commission's intervention is not required in the matter in light of para 8 above. The appeal is disposed of. Copy of decision be given free of cost to the parties.
(Vijai Sharma)
Information Commissioner
Citation: Shri Hari Ram Swami v. North Western Railway in Decision No.CIC/BS/A/2013/002474/VS/09505