CIC: For non appearance during the hearing without any intimation thereof, the PIO, Institute for Social and Economic Change, was directed to appear through Video Conferencing to show cause as to why action should not be initiated against him/ her u/s 20
31 Dec, 2019Information Sought:
The appellant has sought the following information:
1. No. of contract/Daily wage basis sweepers/workers working in the institution/organisation and provide their details.
2. How much amount per month has been paid to them.
3. As per the Government norms how much amount each sweeper/daily wage worker should get and how much amount they have been getting per month.
4. What is the mode of payment to the contractor and to the daily wage workers (with copies of proof).
5. And other related information.
Grounds for Second Appeal
The CPIO did not provide the desired information.
Submissions made by Appellant and Respondent during Hearing:
The appellant submitted that the desired information was not provided to him by the CPIO. The Respondent failed to appear for the hearing and did not intimate the Commission about non attendance nor gave any reasons for the same.
Observations:
The Commission takes grave exception to the absence of the CPIO, Institute for Social and Economic Change ,ICSSR during the hearing without intimating any reasons despite duly served notice on 18.11.2019 vide speed post no. ED36527532IN. Further, as per the submissions of the appellant, a reply was provided to him on 09.11.2017in which it was stated that no such post existed in their organisation. This reply of the CPIO is incomplete. The absence of the CPIO during the hearing led to failure on the part of the respondent to clarify to the Commission as to why no such information is available with them.
Decision:
Based on the above observations, the present CPIO is directed to provide a point-wise reply to the appellant as per the availability of the records and under the provisions of the RTI Act, within a period of 15 days from the date of receipt of this order under intimation to the Commission.
Moreover, for non appearance of the CPIO during the hearing without any intimation thereof, the Commission directs the CPIO, Institute for Social and Economic Change, to appear through Video Conferencing at NIC Studio, Scientist D, 4th Floor, F wing, Kendriya Sadan, Koramangala, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560034 on 31.12.2019 at 12.40 pm to show cause as to why action should not be initiated against him/her under Section 20 of the RTI Act. The CPIO is also directed to send a copy of all the supporting documents which he/she chooses to rely upon during the hearing to the Commission. The CPIO shall send the copy of the said documents to the Commission at least four days prior to the hearing via link paper to the Commission’s link http://dsscic.nic.in/online-link-paper-compliance/add.
A copy of this order is marked to the First Appellate Authority to ensure compliance of the above directions by the concerned CPIO.
The case is accordingly adjourned.
Vanaja N. Sarna
Information Commissioner
Citation: Veeraiah Hiremath v. CPIO, Institute for Social and Economic Change in Decision no.: CIC/ICSSR/A/2018/138147/Adjourn, Date of Decision : 05/12/2019