The reason for discrimination meted out to the apellant vis a vis other IIST candidates who were allowed to choose the ISRO/DOS centers for their posting based on BTech/ BE CGPA - CIC: The FAA order has not been complied with - CIC: Provide the guidelines

Order

1. The appellant filed an online application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) before the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), Department of Space, Bengaluru seeking the reason for discrimination meted out to him vis a vis other IIST candidates who were allowed to choose the ISRO/DOS centers for their posting based on BTECH/ BE CGPA.

2. The appellant filed second appeal before the Commission as the CPIO did not provide any information to the appellant, despite being directed by the FAA. The appellant therefore requested the Commission to direct the CPIO to provide the information sought by him.

Hearing:

3. The appellant Shri Suman and the respondent Shri Balasubramanian, Head Personnel and GM, Master Control Facility, representative of Master Control Facility, ISRO attended the hearing through video conferencing. The respondent Smt. Kamla Rajesh, DS and CPIO, Department of Space, Bengaluru attended the hearing through audio conferencing.

4. The appellant submitted that the information sought has not been provided to him by the CPIO within the period stipulated under the RTI Act, 2005. Hence, penal action should be initiated against the CPIO. The first appeal was also not decided to his satisfaction. The appellant further alleged discrimination between selected candidates from IIST vis-à-vis candidates selected through written examination and submitted that IIST candidates recruited by Indian Space Research Organization/ Department of Space are provided an option to choose ISRO/ DOS centres whereas candidates like him who qualify through written examination are given random posting.

 5. The respondent submitted that the RTI application dated 15.02.2018 was suitably replied by the CPIO vide letter dated 19.03.2018. The first appeal was also decided vide order dated 28.04.2018. During the hearing, the respondent also explained that the option to choose posting was given to IIST candidates as per extant guidelines since IIST is a Deemed University and an autonomous body under the Department of Space, Government of India.

Decision:

 6. The Commission, after hearing the submissions of both the parties and perusing the records, observes that strictly speaking, the RTI application has been responded by the CPIO in accordance with the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005. However, the Commission observes that the order of the FAA wherein the CPIO was directed to disclose the information within 30 days, is not complied with by the respondent. Therefore, the Commission directs the respondent to provide a copy of the guidelines relating to the recruitments and postings of candidates selected from IIST (if so held and available with the Public Authority), to the appellant within four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order under intimation to the Commission.

7. With the above observations, the appeal is disposed of.

8. Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.

Sd/-

Sudhir Bhargava

Chief Information Commissioner

Citation: Suman v. CPIO, Department of Space in Second Appeal No. CIC/DSPCE/A/2018/622940, Date of decision 08.08.2019