Appellant submitted a detailed explanation as to how he was not in a position to file his first appeal on time due to his father’s illness and paralysis attack alongwith COVID - CIC: Delay condoned; It is appropriate to consider the case on merits
2 May, 2022Information Sought:
The appellant has sought the following information:
1. How many supply orders have been issued as per Rotation Policy of SOP during the last two years by CWE MES Jalandhar Cantt.
2. Whether rotation policy as per SOP is followed by CWE, MES Jalandhar Cantt for issuing online Quotation to all suppliers registered with office of CWE MES Jalandhar Cantt.
3. Provide reasons for not following rotation policy of SOP while issuing online quotation.
4. And other related information.
Grounds for filing Second Appeal:
The CPIO did not provide the desired information.
Submissions made by Appellant and Respondent during Hearing:
The appellant submitted a detailed explanation as to how he was not in a position to file his first appeal on time due to his father’s illness and paralysis attack alongwith COVID. He also requested that as the CPIO also failed to provide any reply on time due to COVID and being on maternity leave, the case may be considered on merits and he may be given relief. The CPIO’s Representative had not submitted whether information was given or not.
Observations:
The Commission observed that the appellant had sufficient cause preventing him from filing the appeal in time, therefore it is appropriate to consider the case on merits. Moreover, as the CPIO was not present and there is no reply on record, the CPIO should revisit the RTI application and provide a suitable pointwise reply.
Decision:
In view of the above, the CPIO is directed to send a suitable point-wise reply to the appellant within 7 days from the date of receipt of the order failing which penal action shall be taken. The CPIO may note that all the points of the RTI application should be addressed properly.
The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Vanaja N. Sarna
Information Commissioner
Citation: Sanjay Sehgal v. Military Engineer Services in File No.:- CIC/MESER/A/2020/681730, Date of Decision: 30/03/2022