LPG benefits under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana - PIO: It does not pertain to RL Division - CIC: The PIO should have transferred the application to the holder of the information u/s 6(3), or obtained the information by taking assistance u/s 5(4)
4 Aug, 2022Information Sought
The appellant has stated that he had sent an email on 10th June, 2021, to the Secretary, MORD, regarding LPG benefits announced under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), 2020. In the said context, the appellant has sought the following information:
a. Provide date of receipt of email sent by the appellant.
b. Details of action taken by MORD.
c. Provide a copy of the response sent by MORD to the appellant. d. And other related information.
Grounds for filing Second Appeal
The CPIO did not provide the desired information.
Submissions made by Appellant and Respondent during Hearing:
The appellant in second appeal stated that straight forward questions were sought from the Ministry but the respondents failed to respond point wise, therefore strictest action should be taken against them. He however failed to appear for the hearing despite due notice on 30.06.2022 vide speed post acknowledgment No. ED118345628IN.
The CPIO reiterated the contents of the reply dated 06.07.2021. He also referred to his written submissions dated 08.07.2022.
Observations:
From a perusal of the record, it is noted that the replies given by the CPIO & FAA do not cover the information sought by the appellant. He was seeking information about the date on which his e-mail was received relating to LPG benefits announced under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, 2020.Also details of action taken on this mail and a copy of the response sent by the Ministry to him.
The CPIO in his written submissions dated 08.07.2022 has again stated as before that the LPG benefits under PMGKY does not pertain to RL Division. However, even if they are concerned with only one component of this scheme, the CPIO should have transferred the application to the holder of the information under Sec 6(3) of the RTI Act, or obtained the information by taking assistance under Sec 5(4) of the Act and sent it to the appellant.
Be that as it may, the CPIO is now directed to obtain the required information in a point wise manner from the custodian of the same and send it to the appellant. He is advised to be careful in future and ensure that the proper information is obtained well in time to be provided to the appellant.
Decision:
In view of the above, the CPIO is directed to obtain the information from its holder as indicated above and during the hearing and provide the same to the appellant within 15 days from the date of receipt of this order.
The appeals are disposed of accordingly.
Vanaja N. Sarna
Information Commissioner
Citation: Aakash Goel v. Ministry of Rural Development in File No. CIC/MORLD/A/2021/632043, Date of Decision: 21/07/2022