Appellant: PIO did not provide the particulars of FAA; demanded compensation for non provision of information & harassment - CIC: compensation of Rs. 2500/- awarded; PIO should intimate the details of the FAA & the appeal period
14 Sep, 2016ORDER
Information sought:-
The appellant has sought the following information:-
A. Provide text of “Action Taken Report” that was then prepared as lack of concern by Mr. Chawla (the remark on Grievance Serial No. 8588 is an act of deliberate notoriety) had caused me harassment and mental agony. The matter deserve to be investigated in detail (it appears that no enquiry was then carried out after receipt of my ex-employer’s letter confirming that pension fund account number as appearing on Grievance Serial No. 8588 is correct) so that other members like me do not suffer.
B. One more request :- I call upon you to confirm that such acts of mischief by subordinate staff subsequently has not been simply passed on to members already aggrieved and agonized without verification by an officer as had deliberately been made to happen in my case.
Grounds for the Second Appeal: The CPIO has not provided the desired information.
Relevant Facts emerging during Hearing: The following were present
Appellant: Mr. G. Murari through VC
Respondent: Mr. J. Ganguli CPIO’s representative
The appellant stated that he had lodged a grievance no.8588 on 09/12/1998 which was being handled by one Shri Chawla and he wants to know what action has been taken in the matter. He further stated that the CPIO in his reply has omitted to mention the particulars of the FAA. The CPIO’s representative stated that office records have been reorganized and the appellant’s file is presently with Salt Lake office and the matter should be adjourned as information from Salt Lake is awaited. The appellant stated that he has faced harassment and some compensation should be allowed for the detriment caused to him due to non provision of information.
Decision notice:
The appellant has not been provided the information. For the detriment caused he deserves to be compensated, therefore in exercise of the powers vested in the CIC under 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.2500/- for the inconvenience and detriment caused to him. Accordingly, 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 CPIO should take a careful note for future and ensure that while replying to RTI application the name and other particulars of the appellate authority and the period within which appeal can be made should be invariably mentioned. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
BASANT SETH
Information Commissioner
Citation: Mr. G. Murari v. EPFO in File No. CIC/BS/A/2014/001100/7543