| Allow inspection of cash book, indent, master sheet: SIC directs EXn | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, June 30: The State Information Commission (SIC) has directed the Executive Engineer (Xen) Hydraulic division Ramban to allow inspection of his official record by an RTI applicant. The Commission has directed the Xen who is also the Public Information Officer (PIO) under State RTI Act to give information seeker an opportunity to inspect cash book , gate pass , indent , master sheet etc.
Details available with Early Times reveal that one Sajad Hussain Khokhar from Doda moved an application dated 16.12.2014 before the PIO/Executive Engineer, Hydraulic Division, Ramban under the Jammu & Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009 wherein he sought certain information for the year 2014 relating to Cash Book, Gate Pass, Indent, Master Sheet, and Monthly progress report, etc.
The PIO/Executive Engineer, Hydraulic Division, Ramban vide office No. Hyd/D/R/2827 dated 27.12.2014 informed the information seeker that size of the Cash Book is 2.2.feetX1.50 feet and photocopier machine for Xeroxing of paper of such size was not available in the Ramban District.
The appellant alleged in his second appeal filed before the State Information Commission (SIC) that he visited the office of the Executive Engineer, Hydraulic Division, Ramban but he was not allowed to inspect the record as and he felt aggrieved of inaction on the part of the PIO.
The appellant filed first appeal dated 14.03.2015 before the Superintending Engineer (SE) , Hydraulic Circle, Doda who is the First Appellate Authority (FAA) in this sought explanation from the Executive Engineer, Hydraulic Division, Ramban regarding non-furnishing of information to the information seeker.
During the course of proceedings at SIC Jammu office on 25.6.2015 the PIO submitted before the Commission that he explained the position regarding RTI application of the information seeker to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) and it was conveyed to the First Appellate Authority that the information sought is voluminous in nature and there is no facility of getting the record Xeroxed, as the photo copier machine for copying the paper of such a size is not available in Ramban District.
SIC in its order ruled that" In view of the aforesaid facts and observations, the PIO/Executive Engineer, Hydraulic Division, Ramban is hereby directed to allow the appellant an opportunity to inspect the record in his office on a working day during office hours and provide him certified copies of the relevant documents, if any, requested by the information seeker. In case, the appellant seeks assistance of an expert for the conduct of inspection of the record, he may be allowed to seek the help of only one expert. The parties are at liberty to settle the date and time for inspection of record which may be convenient to them" |
|
