RTI solves the grievance of non supply of kerosene

Background

The appellant sought information in respect of non supply of kerosene oil to him for nearly three years including the reasons for non-supply of kerosene. The Public Information Officer (PIO) provided part information that as per computer data base the ration card of the Applicant is active. On appeal, the First Appellate Authority, while recording that substantial information has been supplied to the Appellant, directed the Assistant Commissioner to look into the appellant’s grievance.

View of the CIC

The respondent produced a communication from the shop keeper in which it was claimed that the shop keeper himself had started supply of kerosene from August 2011 only, and the Applicant was being given kerosene since then. The Appellant stated that earlier he was receiving kerosene from the same shop keeper, who later suddenly ceased the supply and has now resumed the same. The Central Information Commission observed that the respondents have not properly enquired into the matter as directed by the Appellate Authority. The Commission directed the Assistant Commissioner (North West) to personally enquire into the matter of non-supply of kerosene oil to the appellant under section 18(2) Where the Central Information Commission or State Information Commission, as the case may be, is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to inquire into the matter, it may initiate an inquiry in respect thereof. of the RTI Act and submit a detailed report to the Commission by 30.03.2012 along with the action taken by him against the shopkeeper (if any) based on the findings of the enquiry report.

Comments

RTI Act can provide easy solutions to the problems of the citizens which earlier were difficult to solve like the Appellant’s grievance of non-supply of kerosene which was redressed using the Act.

Citation: Shri Brij Mohan v. Food Supplies & Consumer Affairs in file no. CIC/AD/A/2012/000129