The PIO should avoid harsh and impolite language in the RTI reply

Background

The appellant alleged that the Jharkhand Housing Board had allotted some flats and shops to Indo Danish Tools Room (IDTR) for its officials. But the aforesaid flats and shops were not exclusively allotted to the departmental officers but some of them were allotted to the outsiders, which was against the agreement entered into between the Housing Board and the management of IDTR. The public Information Officer (PIO) informed the appellant that some flats and some shops were allotted to the officers of IAIADA, an entity of the State Government because the officers of IDTR were not coming forth for allotment. The appellant also alleged that the PIO had threatened him with the registration of an FIR against him.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) directed the PIO that the appellant may be given inspection of the entire records relating to the matter and also permitted to take photo copies of documents, free of cost. The Commission further firmly advised the PIO to be careful, cautious and temperate in responding to the RTI applications in future and avoid using harsh and impolite language.

Citation:  Shri Sudhir Choudhary v. Indo Danish Tools Room in File No. CIC/LS/A/2011/002968