CIC: PIO to examine the records again & inform as to how much balance amount is available out of the amount collected as penalty which ought to have been spent for the welfare of SC/ST/Minorities as per Supreme Court directions & how it will be spent
16 Jun, 2014Appellant: as per the directions of Supreme Court, the amount of Rs.30.00 crores collected as penalty ought to have been spent for the welfare of SC/ST/Minorities; Appellant sought to know how it was spent alleging that no amount was spent for their welfare - Respondent: Rs.2.05 crores was released as subsidy amount by the Supreme Court towards 80 SC/ST bus operators - CIC: PIO to examine the records once again and inform the Appellant as to how much balance amount is available and how it will be spent
Facts
Heard on 5.6.14. Appellant present. Public Authority is represented by Shri R.P.Singh, Shri Anil Kumar Gulati, Shri Ravi Prakash and other officials.
2. The Appellant filed an RTI application dt.14.12.12 with the PIO, Transport Department, GNCTD seeking information against three points. The PIO, DTC replied on 31.12.12. Being unsatisfied with the reply of PIO, the appellant preferred First Appeal. Appellate Authority of the Transport Department vide order dt.20.2.13 directed DC(STA)/PCO(DTC) to provide information within fifteen days. On not receiving any reply, the Appellant filed an appeal dt.18.3.13 before CIC.
Decision
2. During the hearing, the Respondent Authority handed over to the Appellant some documents, a copy of which was also produced to the Commission. The Appellant wanted to know how the amount of Rs.30.00 crores collected as penalty in 2002 was spent. He stated that according to the directions of Supreme Court, it ought to have been spent for the welfare of SC/ST/Minorities. He alleged that no amount was spent for their welfare. The Respondent officer submitted that Rs.2.05 crores was released as subsidy amount by the Supreme Court towards 80 SC/ST bus operators.
3. The Commission after hearing the submissions made directs the PIO to examine the records once again and to inform the Appellant as to how much balance amount is available and also to inform the Appellant as to how it will be spent within one month of receipt of this order.
4. This appeal is disposed with the above direction.
(M. Sridhar Acharyulu)
Information Commissioner
Citation: C.S.Verma v. Delhi Transport Corporation in Case No. CIC/AD/A/2013/001126SA