RTI application seeking data entry skill test for the post of Tax Assistant

Background

The appellant sought information concerning the data entry skill test for the post of Tax Assistant. A delayed and unsatisfactory reply was received from the Public Information Officer (PIO).

Proceedings

During the hearing, the appellant submitted that he had been waiting for so long for the information. He also submitted that he had faced many difficulties in filing the RTI application as the office concerned in the SSC had refused to accept it. The respondent pointed out that the entire matter related to the northern regional office of the SSC and that whatever information was supposed to be provided should have been given by that office.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) observed that the appellant has been deprived of the information he had sought a long time back without any reasonable cause and had suffered a lot of detriment and harassment. Under section 19 (8)(b) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Commission awarded a compensation of Rs. 5000/- to the appellant. The Commission directed the PIO concerned to provide the desired information. Under section 20 of the RTI Act, the Commission issued a show cause notice to the PIO to give reasons as to why the penalty should not be imposed on him for the delay.

Citation: Mr. Pardeep Soni v. SSC, Department of Personnel & Training in File No.CIC/SM/A/2011/001831