Using RTI for addressing the issue of non-delivery of consignment
19 Apr, 2013Background
The appellant claimed that he had sent three consignments from Delhi to Amroha through railways. Later, he filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Northern Railway seeking to know whether the consignments were released at Amroha or not and to whom they were released. The Public Information Officer (PIO) provided some information to the appellant.
Proceedings
During the hearing the before Central Information Commission (CIC), the appellant submitted that the PIO had acknowledged the receipt of only one consignment. He wanted to know to whom the remaining consignments were released in Amroha. The respondent stated that the consignment was not received by them at Amroha. The appellant produced the bill tickets in respect of the two consignments sent by him as a proof of the fact that these consignments were indeed sent by him by the said trains. He was not willing to accept the respondents’ submission and also leveled allegations of corruption on the Railway officials. The respondent informed that if appellant filed his claim with CCM after filling up the prescribed form, then efforts would be made to settle the claim after the papers are found to be in order. The PIO also stated that the appellant can write to the Supervisor for a copy of the claim form.
View of CIC
The Commission noted that the proof of dispatch of consignments by train is available with the appellant and directed the PIO to furnish an affidavit clearly affirming the fact that the consignments sent have not been received by them at Amroha. The CIC also observed that the appellant’s grievance falls outside the ambit of the RTI Act.
Citation: Mr. Sohan Pal Varshney v. Northern Railway Station Superintendent in File No: CIC/AD/A/2012/002665
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2013/CIC/1214
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission