Enquiry under RTI Act for allegations of black marketing of ration

Background

The appellant had filed a complaint with the public authority against a shop keeper who was illegally running a general store and selling rations in black. She later filed an application under Right to Information (RTI) Act, with the Department of Food, Supplies & Consumer Affairs seeking the daily progress report and the outcome of her complaint. The FSO, C51 informed the applicant that the information sought pertains to Circle 49. During the hearing, the respondents stated that they had enquired into the complaint through their Inspector. They also submitted that since the appellant’s ration card does not carry the stamp, she is not being given rations and that the allegations leveled by the applicant could not be substantiated. The appellant stated that there are at least 50 people who are willing to give in writing that they have all bought rations in the black because the shop keeper has been refusing to sell the rations at the correct price.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) noted that the allegations leveled by the appellant are serious ones which call for an enquiry by a senior officer of the department under section 18(2) Where the Central Information Commission or State Information Commission, as the case may be, is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to inquire into the matter, it may initiate an inquiry in respect thereof. of the RTI Act, in order to provide the factual information to the appellant. The Commission directed the head of the public authority, Commissioner, Department of Food, Supplies & Consumer Affairs, to enquire into the appellant’s allegations and submit a detailed report to the Commission along with the action taken, if any, against the shop keeper responsible for any misdeed.

Citation: Ms. Kishori Shukla v. Department of Food, Supplies & Consumer Affairs, in File No. CIC/AD/A/2012/001286