Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 22: The State Information Commission (SIC) has directed the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to provide details in writing vis-a-vis grant of building permissions in Sainik Colony area which was earlier denied under the RTI.
Details available with Early Times reveal that an RTI application was filed by one Pritam Singh Saini, of Lower Muthi Jammu on 07.03.2018 with the PIO/Secretary, JMC seeking information related to grant of building permissions in Sainik Colony.
The PIO furnished information to the applicant vide his letter dated 11.04.2018. The applicant, however, filed First Appeal before the First Appellate Authority (FAA) JMC, Jammu on 26.04.2018. The FAA disposed of the First Appeal vide his order dated: 24.05.2018.
However, not satisfied with the information so provided, the applicant filed second appeal before the SIC on 11.06.2018 (admitted on 25.06.2018) praying therein that respondents be directed to provide the complete and accurate information to the appellant, free of cost.
The appeal came up for hearing before SIC on 24.09.2018. The appellant Pritam Singh Saini was present in person. The respondents were represented by Harinder Arora, Senior Town Planner, JMC, Jammu/PIO. The appellant submitted that reply to point 6 of his RTI request is not satisfactory and the respondents have suppressed the information. In point No. 6, the appellant has sought information regarding whether the JMC has sought NOCs in respect of House Nos. 215, 194, 214 of Sector-A, Sainik Colony, Jammu and Plot No. 142, Sector No. 4, Sanjay Nagar, Jammu. The respondents have simply replied that no such record is available.
Harinder Arora, Senior Town Planner, JMC, Jammu/PIO submitted that the JMC has granted building permission only in respect of House No. 214 and 215 and that no building permission has been granted in respect of House No./Plot No. 142, Sector No. 4, Sanjay Nagar, Jammu and House No. 194 of Sector-A, Sainik Colony, Jammu. A copy of the building permission granted in respect of House Nos. 214 and 215 has also been provided to the appellant and in column No. 6 of the said permission, status of NOC from various departments has been shown as Nil.
The PIO submitted that this in other words means that no NOC has been sought from other departments in respect of House No. 214 and 215. The appellant, however, submitted that let the PIO furnish the said information in writing.
SIC's order reads: "After hearing the parties and going through the documents submitted during the hearing, the Commission is of the considered view that the entire information has been furnished to the appellant except information relating to point No. 6 of his basic RTI application. The appeal is accordingly disposed of with a direction to the PIO/Senior Town Planner, JMC, Jammu to provide information to the appellant with regard to point No. 6 of his RTI request, clearly indicating whether the JMC, Jammu has sought any NOC of other departments in respect of House Nos. 214 and 215 of Sector-A, Sainik Colony, Jammu within a period of 02 weeks from the date of receipt of this order." |
