Claim for restoration of entire pension to the second wife

Background

The appellant was the second wife of an employee of East Coast Railway who died in a railway accident. After his death, she and the first wife were getting 50% of pension each, as per Muslim law and the court’s order. Later the first wife too expired and therefore she contended that the entire pension ought to have been restored in her favour. She claimed that in this connection she had submitted an application to the railways but no action was taken. Later she filed an application under RTI with the Public Authority seeking information related to the issue. The Public Information Officer (PIO) stating that in the absence of service particulars of ex-employee i.e. date of retirement/termination, PF Number, Copy of PPO order number, Office/place of last working etc., no information can be furnished. On directions of the First Appellate Authority (FAA) he furnished some information. The respondent submitted that the PPOs to the two ladies were not issued by their office and also not signed by the competent authority. He further added that if the appellant submits a representation to concerned officer dealing with pensions some relief may be granted to her. He reiterated that as such no action can be taken on the appellant’s representation since the relevant documents were not available with them.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) directed the PIO to provide the address of the concerned official to whom the appellant can submit her representation.

Citation: Ms. Kariman Bibi v. East Coast Railway Divisional in File No: CIC/AD/A/2012/000112