Answer paper of selected candidates of post man written exam were denied claiming that the information comprises of 128 pages and with only 12 staff in the office, taking photocopies will disproportionately divert the resources - CIC: provide information

Information sought: The applicant wants the photocopies of the answer paper of the selected candidates of post man written exam (paper A - making entries MS 27, paper B - Arithmetic and paper C– English & Telugu Dictation) held on 06/03/11.

Grounds for the Second Appeal: The CPIO has denied the information under Section 8(1)(j) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual unless the Central Public Information Officer or the State Public Information Officer or the appellate authority, as the case may be, is satisfied that the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such information: Provided that the information which cannot be denied to the Parliament or a State Legislature shall not be denied to any person. of the RTI Act 2005.

Relevant Facts emerging during Hearing: The following were present

Appellant: Mr. K. V. V. Ramana Murthy through VC

Respondent: Mr. S S V Prasad CPIO through VC

The CPIO stated that the information sought by the appellant comprises of 128 pages and he has only 12 staff in his office and taking photocopies will make the system unworkable as it would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority. The appellant pleaded that it is extremely important for him to obtain the information and the RTI Act clearly stipulates a fee of Rs. 2/- per page for supplying photocopies which he is willing to pay. He further emphasized that taking 128 pages of photocopy is in no way going to cause undue strain on the public authority.

Decision notice:

The CPIO’s argument that providing photocopies of 128 pages would disproportionately divert the resources of the public authority is untenable; more so, as there are 12 employees working under the CPIO who can easily assist him in providing the information. Besides, the appellant is prepared to pay the prescribed charges of Rs. 256/- (@ Rs.2/- per page) hence, there is no legitimate ground to deny the information, which should be provided to the appellant. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.

BASANT SETH

Information Commissioner

Citation: Mr. K. V. V. Ramana Murthy v. Department of Posts in File No. CIC/BS/A/2013/000588/4884