Matter of delay in award of the Police Medal addressed through RTI

Background

The appellant’s name appeared in the list of officers who were to be awarded the Police Medal for meritorious service on the eve of Independence Day, 2009. He desired to know whether the medals and certificate have not yet been given to any officer whose names was published in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official website, when and where will he get above awarded medal, why there has been so much delay in delivery of medal and certificate. He also wanted the copy of all communication related to delay in delivery of above awarded medal. The Public Information Officer (PIO) replied that the queries raised are not covered under the definition of information as stipulated under section 2(f) “information” means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force; of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Proceedings

During the hearing the appellant submitted that he received a telegraphic message from the Union Home Secretary congratulating him and informing him of the award of the Police Medal for meritorious service on the eve of Independence Day 2009. However, since he has not received the Medal awarded to him nor the certificate, he filed an application under RTI Act and sought information from PIO.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) noted that the respondent had neither denied that the appellant’s name was published on its website for award of the Police Medal for Meritorious Service, nor the congratulatory telegram of the Union Home Secretary which was sent to the appellant in this regard. The Commission observed that the respondents have not quoted any provisions of the RTI Act for denying the information which is no doubt held by them in their record. Holding that the appellant’s queries have to be replied to as per record held by the Public Authority, the Commission directed the PIO to provide requisite information, as per records, to the appellant.

Citation: Mr. S.K. Yadav v. Ministry of Home Affairs, in Case No. CIC/SS/A/2012/001313