Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 22: The State Information Commission (SIC) has directed the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department to allow an RTI applicant to inspect the record pertaining to issuance of ration and ration cards in Doda district.
Mohammad Younis, of Soti Dudwar, Gandoh, had moved an application on April 19 before the Assistant Director, CAPD, Doda (designated PIO) under J&K RTI Act, 2009 seeking certain information about the issuance of ration cards in Doda. He had also sought details about ration distribution.
The applicant filed first appeal on May 19 before the First Appellate Authority (FAA)-Director, CAPD, Jammu. He later filed second appeal on June 18 before the SIC at Jammu.
The SIC listed the matter for hearing on August 12. However, the matter was adjourned as the parties did not attend the hearing before the Commission. The matter was again listed for hearing on September 9. The appellant and Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO), CAPD, Doda were present while the Assistant Director, CAPD, Doda could not appear before the Commission due to some important official engagements.
The PIO submitted before the Commission that the information was provided to the appellant on May 5 at his home address. The PIO also submitted that the applicant had sought the list of ration card holders who got free ration from 2010 to date, and the information was provided to him.
The PIO in his counterstatement before SIC also submitted that since providing copies of list of 2,70,000 families who had received free ration was a huge task, the applicant was asked to examine all these lists in the office of the Assistant Director, CAPD, Doda during the working hours on any working day. But instead of examining these lists, the applicant filed the appeal.
In its order, the SIC said: "The perusal of the RTI application of the information seeker shows that the information sought by him is voluminous in nature and any compilation/consolidation of such information is likely to affect the routine matter and working of the department adversely. The PIO also took the plea in the counterstatement that due to non-availability of supporting staff and machinery in the district office as well as in the office of TSO which is insufficient rather nominal, and in such circumstances it becomes very difficult for the PIO to provide voluminous information to the information seeker within the stipulated period under the provisions of J&K Right to Information Act, 2009, and requested the Commission that the appeal filed by the information seeker be dismissed. However, during the course of proceedings, the TSO, CAPD, Doda, who represented the PIO/Assistant Director, CAPD, Doda assured the Commission that in case the appellant wants to inspect the record in their office, he is at liberty to do the same on a working day during office hours and the facility for accessing the record will be provided to him.
"In view of the aforesaid facts and observations, the PIO/Assistant Director, CAPD, Doda and TSO, CAPD, Doda are hereby directed to allow the appellant an opportunity to inspect the record in their office on a working day during office hours and provide him certified copies of the relevant documents, if any, requested by the information seeker." |
