Information about the trainees who had undertaken training under the SSB at some point or the other was refused u/s 24(1) - Respondent: volunteers were given training with no contractual arrangement or any formal association - CIC: denial upheld
8 Oct, 2014
ORDER
RTI application:
1. The appellant filed an RTI application on 08.06.2013 seeking information pertaining to trained volunteers.
2. The CPIO responded on 03.07.2013 and denied information under the provisions of section 24 of the RTI Act. The appellant filed his first appeal on 22.07.2013 with the first appellate authority (FAA). The FAA responded on 13.08.2013 and upheld the decision of CPIO. The appellant filed a second appeal on 28.10.2013 with the Commission.
Hearing:
3. The appellant and the respondent both participated in the hearing personally.
4. The appellant referred to his RTI application of 08.06.2013 and stated that he was seeking information about those particular trainees who had undertaken training under the respondent organization at some point or the other. The appellant stated that he has in his RTI application made his request clear and has also specified the various groups and training points where training was received. The appellant said that he is seeking this information to enable the trainees to get a certificate so that the certificate can be used as a proof for any potential engagement or employment.
5. The respondent stated that the training given by the respondent organization was essentially in the nature of equipping the volunteers with certain basic skills and attitude which the Government felt would be required in border areas taking into account the experience of 1962. The respondent stated that those who were given training were volunteers and there was no contractual arrangement or any formal association with the volunteers. The respondent stated that taking into account the nature and scope of the work of the respondent organization they have also been exempted from giving information under section 24(1) Nothing contained in this Act shall apply to the intelligence and security organisations specified in the Second Schedule, being organisations established by the Central Government or any information furnished by such organisations to that Government: Provided that the information pertaining to the allegations of corruption and human rights violations shall not be excluded under this sub-section: of the RTI Act and that the respondent organization is included in Schedule II of the RTI Act.
6. The action taken by the respondent organization is in conformity with the RTI Act.
Decision:
7.Commission's intervention is not required. The decision of the FAA is upheld. The appeal is disposed of. Copy of decision be given free of cost to the parties.
(Vijai Sharma)
Information Commissioner
Citation: Shri Mohan Singh Rawat v. DIG (Per) in Appeal No.CIC/SS/A/2013/002700/VS