Directions for compiling and posting data on website - PIO: work started but difficultly faced due to shortage of manpower & capacity - CIC: u/s 19(a)(iii) and (iv), public authority asked to set up a special cell for documenting & uploading all the data
20 Jan, 2014CIC had directed Land and Building Department for compilation and collation of information of the notification applications and putting it on website - PIO: work started but difficultly faced due to shortage of manpower & capacity - CIC: matter involves public interest; u/s 19(a)(iii) and (iv), public authority asked to set up a special cell for documenting & uploading all the data within 12 weeks
Facts:
1. Further to Commission’s orders of even numbers dated 1 August, 2013 and 27 September, 2013, matter was heard again today to review compliance of the directions held therein. Both parties as above appeared in person and made submissions. CPIO / Office of LG, Delhi, stated that he had traced the applications received in response to the 2007 policy decision pertaining to de – notification of land, and provided copies of the same to the appellant.
2. The CPIO, Land and Building Department submitted that pursuant to the directions of the Commission, the Department had issued order dated 19 November 2013 vide which specific directions were issued to the concerned officers/officials of LA Branch for compilation and collation of information of the notification applications received in LA Branch, L&B Department, Delhi with effect from 1 April 2013 for strict compliance. It were stated that so far 10 such applications had been uploaded on the website of the Department as per prescribed format which is given below:
S. No.
Name & Address of the applicant
Notification n u/s 4,6 & award if any
Khasra No. & Area for denotification
Dt. Of sending to DDA/Land own agency/LAC for comments
Decision of Denotification
Committee Decision of Hon’ble L.G.
Decision notice
3. After hearing both parties Commission cases on record its appreciation in respect of the action already taken by the offices/Department. However, in our view, the matter of this RTI application is undoubtedly of larger public interest and this is just a beginning. CPIO/ Land and Building Department, Delhi has stated that they are finding it difficult to upload all the information pertaining to the pending cases which have been received since 2007 due to shortage of manpower and capacity. Therefore, as per the powers of the Commission given under section 19 (a) (iii) and (iv) of the Act, we require the public authority to set up a special cell for documenting and uploading all the data pertaining to the pending applications as per the format prescribed by the public authority as given above so that this task is completed within the next 12 weeks or so. A copy of this order along with previous orders is also marked to the Chief Secretary, GNCTD and Principal Secretary, L&B Department for suitable action.
4. In view of the importance of this matter, Commission will review progress of the action taken by the public authority in keeping with the directions of the Commission held in this and previous orders on 17 December 2013 at 11.30 AM. Respondents are directed to appear before the Commission on this date.
(Smt. Deepak Sandhu)
Chief Information Commissioner
Citation: Shri Rajiv Kapoor v. Land & Building (Govt. of Delhi) in Adjunct II Appeal: No. CIC/AD/A/2012/002932/DS