Information about ESIC was sought by appellant who said that the website is not updated from 2012 onwards - CIC: Supply the minutes of the last three meetings held in connection with upgradation of services; Compensation of Rs. 5000/- awarded
25 Nov, 2015Information sought:
The appellant has sought the following information:-
1. Inform if ESIC has any kind of tie-up with the well known as well as well equipped private hospitals in Delhi so that ESIC card holders easily get treated over there in the absence of proper treatment in any of the ESIC hospitals. List out all those private hospitals along with addresses.
2. Since ESIC has expanded itself rapidly in most parts of the country, but as compare to its expansion, lack of minimum treatment facilities through qualified doctors/pharmacists have always been noticed everywhere. To have fill up this wide gap, if ESIC has any concrete planning to cater the needs of its members and their dependants who have been staying in run down areas? Information in this regard may be provided in details.
3. Inform if ESIC has developed any fool proof mechanism so far to sort out the grievances of ESIC card holders promptly or within the time frame. In case of yes, specify in details.
4. Provide the status of my E Mail letter dated 8th May 2014 (addressed to DG & Medical Commissioner - ESIC) and action taken thereon at any level.
Grounds for the Second Appeal: The CPIO has not provided the desired information.
Relevant Facts emerging during Hearing held on 24/06/2015: The following were present
Appellant: Mr. Girish Nautiyal (M 8802355275)
Respondent: _______
The appellant stated that the respondent’s reply is unsatisfactory and was also delayed. He further stated that the respondents in reply to query 1 have given a website reference but the site is not updated from 2012 onwards. As regards query 2 he stated that he has merely asked whether the ESIC has any plans to upgrade its services and the medical superintendent has not informed the action taken on his letter dated 8th May 2014.
Interim Decision notice dated 24/06/2015:
Since the CPIO is not present it is decided to give one more opportunity to him / her for attending the hearing and explaining why the complete information has not been supplied to the appellant and the reasons for the delay in furnishing the reply. The matter is adjourned for 16/07/2015 at 04.00 PM.
Relevant Facts emerging during Hearing on 16/07/2015: The following were present
Appellant: Mr. Girish Nautiyal (M 8802355275)
Respondent: Mr. D S Bhandari CPIO Tilak Vihar, Mr. Mohinder Singh Rohini, Ms. Anita Suresh & Ms. Jyoti Rani HQ.
The CPIO handed over information pertaining to query 1 & 3 to the appellant. The appellant after scrutiny of the documents pointed out that there is a difference between the list now supplied by the respondent and that supplied by their HQ. The CPIO clarified that the list now supplied is the correct and updated list. As regards query 2, the CPIO’s representative HQ stated that she will supply the minutes of the meeting held in connection with upgradation of services. The CPIO DMD stated that the appellant’s e-mail dated 08/05/2014 has not been received. The appellant handed over a copy to the CPIO, DMD. The appellant stated that it is apparent from the above that he has not been supplied the information and hence some compensation should be awarded for the detriment and harassment caused to him.
Decision Notice:
As stated by the CPIO’s representative HQ she should supply the minutes of the last three meetings held in connection with upgradation of services and the CPIO DMD should supply the action taken on the appellant’s e-mail dated 08/05/2014. The order should be complied within 15 days from the date of receipt thereof. The appellant has not received the information. For the detriment caused he deserves to be compensated, therefore in exercise of the powers vested in the CIC under section 19(8)(b) In its decision, the Central Information Commission or State Information Commission, as the case may be, has the power to require the public authority to compensate the complainant for any loss or other detriment suffered; of the RTI Act, we direct the department to compensate him by an amount of Rs.5000/- for the inconvenience and detriment caused to him. Accordingly, the CPIO HQ should ensure that this amount is remitted to the appellant by demand draft/pay order within 30 days from the date of receipt of this order. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
BASANT SETH
Information Commissioner
Citation: Mr. Girish Nautiyal v. ESIC in File No. CIC/BS/A/2014/001754/8115