Should appellant seek information on a single issue only through one RTI application?
23 May, 2013Background
The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Department of Revenue seeking information regarding proficiency of staff in Hindi in the office of SDM. He also sought information about action taken by SDM in respect of stopping smoking of cigarettes in public places and sealing of factories. The Public Information Officer (PIO) provided point wise information to the applicant.
Proceedings
The appellant as well as the respondents did not attend the hearing before the Central Information Commission (CIC). The Commission adjudicated the matter based on submissions available on record.
View of CIC
The Commission observed that the appellant has sought miscellaneous information against queries that do not have any common thread running through them. He has sought 4 categories of information totally unrelated to each other which makes it rather difficult for the PIO to provide easily. The CIC advised the appellant to seek information on a single issue so that the PIO is able to easily furnish the information within the stipulated time period. The Commission also noted that the appellant has not bothered to specify what information is required by him, even while filing the second appeal. The Commission rejected the appeal holding that available information has been furnished to the appellant and that there is no need to authorize disclosure of any further information.
Comments
As per the provisions of the RTI Act, there is no bar on the number of subjects about which information can be sought by the applicant through one application.
Citation: Mr. J.D.Kataria v. Department of Revenue in File No: CIC/AD/A/2012/002826
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2013/CIC/1300
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission