Reasons for not providing Assured Career Progression and pension benefits
17 Jan, 2013
Background
The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with Central Public Works Department (CPWD) seeking reasons for not providing him the benefits of Assured Career Progression (ACP) and release of complete pension benefits after his retirement from the service. The Public Information Officer (PIO) stated that the appellant had not mentioned the office and designation from which he had retired and that the appellant may immediately clarify the position so that action could be taken accordingly.
Proceeding
During the hearing before the Central Information Commission (CIC), the appellant stated that he was an employee of the CPWD and that he has been approaching his department for a long time for getting the information but the department is keeping him deprived of the information that could have been easily provided. The respondent submitted that the matter has taken some time because the RTI application was sent by the appellant to the wing which was not handling the matter and the application had to be re-routed. The respondent also stated that disciplinary proceedings are pending against the appellant because of which he could be given only provisional pension. The appellant stated that he has been subjected to gross injustice as it is now 12 years since he retired but he is getting only the provisional pension. He further argued that he is also not being provided the information which exhibits the callous attitude of the department. The respondent agreed to provide the full information on the matter to the appellant within fifteen days.
View of CIC
The Commission observed that the RTI application has not been attended to as was expected under the RTI Act. The CIC directed the respondent to provide complete information to the appellant on all the points. The CIC also issued a show cause to the PIO to give reasons as to why action should not be taken against him for contravening the timelines prescribed in the RTI Act.
Citation: Mr. Sarat Chandra Bora v. Central Public Works Department in Decision No. CIC/DS/C/2011/002085/VS/01672
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2013/CIC/966
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission