DATE WITH RTI

Responsibility of Nodal PIO

The appellant sought to know about the movement of his complaint to DDA and the action taken on it. The CIC observed that till date no information has been provided to the appellant on his RTI application dated 26.08.2018. Instead of transferring the RTI application to one specific PIO, the Nodal PIO had transferred the same to numerous PIOs within the public authority without application of mind. The CIC expressed its anguish observing that the RTI Act is clearly violated by the hands of the DDA and the PIOs are handling the RTI application with lackadaisical approach. A notice was issued to the then PIO, Commercial Land branch to show-cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on him for contravening the provisions of the RTI Act by not giving any reply to the appellant on his RTI application within the stipulated period of time as per the provisions of the RTI Act. The CIC advised the Vice Chairman, DDA to look into the style of work in the RTI cell and what methods are being adopted by the Nodal PIO regarding the disposal of RTI applications.

Comments

The PIO is only a communicator of information based on the records held in the office and hence, he cannot be expected to do research work to deduce anything from the material therein and then supply it to the RTI Applicant. However, the Nodal PIO should analyze the RTI application properly and then transfer the same to the specific PIO. One RTI application should not lead to multiple appeals just because of indiscriminate transfer of RTI Application.

Citation: Akshay Kumar Malhotra v. Delhi Development Authority in Complaint No. CIC/DDATY/C/2019/101384, Second Appeal No. CIC/DDATY/A/2019/101389, Complaint No. CIC/DDATY/C/2019/101502 and Second Appeal No. CIC/DDATY/A/2019/100447, Date of decision: 19.10.2020.

Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Apart from her weekly article here, her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: www.rtifoundationofindia.com

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