M. K. Gupta
Central Information Commission has imposed a penalty of Rs. 250/- per day not exceeding Rs. 25,000/- on Kendriya Bhandar on the complaint of Mahendra Kumar Gupta of Dwarka (Executive Body Member of Dwarka Forum) for not responding to the RTI application in time. In a decision, the Chief Information Commissioner, Mr. Wajahat Habibullah has imposed penalty on Shri R. K. Singh, CPIO, Kendriya Bhandar from the date when the information fell due and when it was actually supplied. CIC has asked Ms. Poonam Rawat, Chairperson, Kendriya Bhandar to recover the penalty amount from the CPIO either directly or through deduction from his salary @ Rs. 5,000/- per month.
In its earlier decision of 8th May 2009, CIC directed the CPIO to respond to the respondent within 15 working days from the date of receipt of the decision. The KB letter of 30th April, 2008 to the CIC did not contain any explanation for the delay in responding to the RTI application. The CPIO was given an opportunity to appear before the Commission on 3rd June or submit his explanation but the letter of KB contained no explanation for the delay.
Shri R. K. Singh, DGM (Operations), submitted that Kendriya Bhandar sent a letter on 30.4.08 to the complainant and the he had not approached the office thereafter, implying that he was satisfied with the information provided. This letter contained answers to the RTI application of 27.8.07 but was sent in response of the complaint notice served on the Kendriya Bhandar by this Commission on 31st March 2008. There is no explanation for the delay in responding to the RTI application. Although the CPIO was given an opportunity to appear before the Commissioner on 3.6.09 or submit his explanation.
Note- The information solicited was about the proposal of opening the branch of Kendriya Bhandar in Dwarka.
