Information regarding proposal to convert a residential park into social function site, the copy of approval from the RWA/ MCD / Delhi Fire Services, etc was sought - Respondent: Only an undertaking is obtained - CIC: provide a copy of the undertaking

Information sought:

The appellant sought information on 6 points regarding proposal of MCD to convert the residential park, Rampura into marriage/function site, copy of approval from RWA for the same, copy of MCD clearance, copies of NOC taken from Delhi Fire Services, etc.

Relevant facts emerging during hearing:

Both the parties are present. The appellant filed an RTI application on 23.07.2014, seeking the above information. PIO/ADH/CLZ in his reply informed the appellant that on Points 1 to 4, there in no information available in Hort. Dept., and transferred the RTI application to AO (IT) and CSD Dept. on Points 5 & 6. The FAA in his order dated 03.09.2014 directed CPIO to provide proper and point-wise information as per the records available. PIO/Addl. Dir. (IT) in his reply dt. 09.09.2014 provided information on Point 5. APIO/CSD vide reply dt. 14.10.2014 provided information on Point 6. The appellant stated that information on Points 1 to 4 has not been provided, even after a delay of 375 days. He further stated that information on Points 5 & 6 was also provided after a delay. He alleged that due to political pressures and rampant corruption prevalent in the dept., the public authority did not provide the desired information. The respondent stated that there is no such record on Points 1 to 4. He stated that an undertaking is obtained from the party applying for holding a marriage/function in a park and it is his responsibility to take action on the fire safety measures, etc. He further stated that the draft undertaking can be downloaded from the website. On query by the Commission regarding delay in providing the information, respondent expressed regret and stated that it was provided after the orders of FAA. The appellant stated that it would suffice if a copy of such an undertaking filed with the MCD is provided to him.

Decision:

After hearing both the parties and on perusal of record, the Commission directs PIO/ADH/CLZ to provide a copy of the undertaking (last booking of park for marriage/function), after redacting the personal information of the third party, whose form is provided to the appellant. The information shall be provided to the appellant within two weeks of receipt of this order, under intimation to the Commission. As for the delay, alleged by the appellant, in providing information on Points 1 to 4, the Commission is of the view that there is no delay in providing the information by the PIO. He had informed the appellant initially that there is no information on these points. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.

(Yashovardhan Azad)

Information Commissioner

Citation: Shri Ram Naresh Kaushik v. North Delhi Municipal Corporation in F.No.CIC/YA/A/2014/003108