How is the work distributed between the MoEF of centre and state?
6 Jun, 2013Background
The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Ministry of Environment and Forest(MoEF) seekingvariety of information such as the nature of the work distribution between the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the Central Government and the counterpart department in the State Government. He also wanted to know if it was the responsibility of the Central Government to implement the standard of providing six big trees for every human being in order to fulfill his oxygen needs. The Public Information Officer (PIO) provided some information.
Proceedings
During the hearing the before Central Information Commission (CIC), the appellant expressed his dissatisfaction that his queries had not been properly answered. The Commission observed that most of queries were beyond the purview of the RTI Act. The CIC held that it is the Constitution of India which clearly lays down the list of subjects falling in the respective domain of the Central and State Governments; it is not for the Ministry to advise any citizen in this regard. Regarding the other query, the CIC noted that it is a purely presumptive question based on the personal opinion of the information seeker. The PIO cannot be expected to manufacture information for the pleasure of the appellant. The Commission also held that the type of queries made by the appellant shows complete lack of clarity or specificity in his articulation.
View of CIC
The Commission directed the PIO to provide to the appellant a copy of the relevant extracts from the allocation of business rules listing the items of subjects falling within the domain of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Citation: Mr. VidhyadharPandey v.Ministry of Environment and Forest in File No. CIC/SM/A/2012/001857
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2013/CIC/1339
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission