CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION Room No. 06, Club Building, Old JNU Campus New Delhi 110067. Tel: 011 – 26182597, 26182598
Appeal No.:CIC/VS/A/2015/001861/BJ
Appellant : Mr. G. R. Sharma A87, Prince Road, Harpal Nagar, Moradabad – 244001, UP
Respondent : CPIO Airports Authority of India Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi – 221006, UP
Date of hearing : 06/06/2016 Date of Decision : 06/06/2016
Date of filing of RTI application 03/07/2014
CPIO’s response 31/01/2015
Date of filing the First appeal 03/03/2015
First Appellate Authority’s response 27/05/2015
Date of filing second appeal before the Commission 16/07/2015
O R D E R
FACTS:
The appellant through his RTI application having 06 queries had sought information about name of the agency which had been given job of repair and maintenance of Varanasi Airport during the period 2007 to 2011 alongwith name, amount and date, name of officials who were involved in the work, details related to new terminal building, runway extension, details of construction materials purchased etc.
The CPIO vide reply dated 23/09/2014 stated that the original records are in the custody of CBI, Lucknow and from the copies it is difficult to cullout any information being illegible. Aggrieved with the reply the appellant approached the FAA vide first appeal dated 19/11/2014. The FAA vide order dated 27/05/2015 stated that the records sought by the appellant are voluminous and hence he can inspect the records.
HEARING: Page 1 of 3 Facts emerging during the hearing: The following were present: Appellant: Mr. G. R. Sharma (AGMAAI) (M:9560662916); Respondent: Mr. J. Sugumar, AGM (Eng.Civil) (M:9648843300) AAIVaranasi through VC;
The appellant stated that he had sought information on 06 points as stated in his RTI application dated 03/07/2014. He received the reply from the respondent vide their letter dated 31/01/2015 i.e. after a lapse of approximately 06 months. The respondents in their reply stated that all the original documents/records/files were under the CBI custody in Lucknow Office. He was also requested to visit their office to identify particular documents otherwise staff shall have to be engaged to trace out the documents and that the number of days/salary for engaging separate staff and the cost of photocopies etc. shall have to be borne by the appellant.
During discussions on the matter when specifically queried whether all the files pertaining to the 06 queries of the appellant were in the custody of CBI, the respondents replied in affirmative. Subsequently, the appellant challenged the authenticity of the statements made by the respondents and informed that only certain files pertaining to runway extension, upgradation etc. were in the custody of CBI but particularly on question no.04 with regard to the construction of new terminal building the matter was not with the CBI. In response, the respondents remained elusive and desired to reexamine the matter before a firm reply could be given to the Commission. The Commission noted with concern the lack of seriousness and unpreparedness on the part of the respondents in addressing the concerns raised in the RTI application. Needless to add, these were being dealt with in a routine and irresponsible manner.
DECISION:
Keeping in view the facts of the case and the submissions made by both the parties, it is evident that there is total apathy exhibited by the respondents in answering RTI queries. Accordingly the Commission instructs the CPIO to personally examine the whole matter denovo, within a period of 30 days, from the date of receipt of this order and furnish comprehensive information to the appellant. The Commission observes that the respondents cannot overlook the sensitivities of the issues raised by the appellant which are directly concerned with the larger public good and cannot be brushed aside in such a casual and callous manner.
The appeal stands disposed with above directions.
(Bimal Julka) Information Commissioner
Authenticated True Copy:
(K.L.Das)
Page 2 of 3 Deputy Registrar
Copy to;
1 Secretary, M/o Civil Aviation, Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi 110003
2 Chairman, Airports Authority of India, Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi 110003
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