The guidelines etc. regarding the appointment of Postmaster as CAPIO in post offices & responsibilities - CIC: PIO is not bound to give hard copies of the documents when the information is available in public domain on the website of the public authority
17 Feb, 2020Information Sought:
The appellant has sought the rules/guidelines etc. regarding the appointment of Postmaster as CAPIO in various sections of post offices and duties/responsibilities assigned to them.
Grounds for Second Appeal
The CPIO did not provide the desired information.
Submissions made by Appellant and Respondent during Hearing:
The appellant submitted that he received the requisite information vide letter dated 15.01.2020 but is aggrieved due to the inordinate delay of almost 21 months. The CPIO submitted that an apt reply was given on time i.e 03.04.2018, vide which proper information was given stating that the sought for information is available in public domain.
Observations:
Based on a perusal of the record and the reply given by the CPIO and the website of the public authority which was visited, it was found that the sought for information is available as per the CPIO’s reply and there was no infirmity in the same.
Decision:
In view of the above, the appellant’s contention regarding delay was unfounded. It is relevant to mention here that the CPIO is not bound to give hard copies of the documents, when the information is available in public domain. The CPIO had correctly guided the appellant to the website of the public authority. No further action is required in the present case.
The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Vanaja N. Sarna
Information Commissioner
Citation: Girish Prasad Gupta v. Department of Posts in Decision no.: CIC/POSTS/A/2018/151473/02692, Date of Decision: 22/01/2020