Information regarding payment of residue gratuity, retirement TA Bill and return of scooter RC Book – information was provided only after the appellant filed second appeal with CIC – compensation of Rs. 2000/- awarded to appellant
21 Sep, 2013ORDER
Information sought:
I had submitted an application dated 26/11/2011 vide speed post no. EO453848094IN from Balasore, HPO dated 26/11/2011 regarding payment of residue gratuity, retirement TA Bill and return of my scooter RC Book. Meanwhile I have received my retire TA Bill but the residue of my final gratuity Rs.41371/- was not yet sanctioned by the competent authority. Again the RC book of my Scooter has not yet been returned back to me. Kindly inform when I will get my residue gratuity and RC book of my scooter.
Grounds for the Second Appeal: The PIO has not given the desired information.
Relevant Facts emerging during Hearing:
The appellant stated that he was repeatedly requesting for his RC Book from 2006 onwards but no action was being taken and hence he was compelled to file an RTI application but even thereafter no action was taken and it was only when he filed his 2nd appeal before the Commission Page 1 of 2 that the department woke up and furnished the document. He further stated that he had to incur huge expenses in transportation as he was unable to drive his scooter for want of RC book. The CPIO’s representative stated that the CPIO O/o the CPMG Odisha which held the document should have supplied the information as the appellant’s RTI application was transferred to him.
Decision notice:
From the foregoing it is apparent that the appellant did not receive the information till he filed his 2nd appeal before the Commission. For the inconvenience caused to him, he deserves to be compensated. Therefore, in exercise of the powers vested in the CIC in 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.2000/- for the inconvenience and detriment caused to him. The CPIO 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. Biswaranjan Pramanik v. Department of Posts in File No. CIC/BS/A/2012/001111/3411