Facts
The appellant was present on the phone call and he stated that no information regarding his property disputes had been embellished till the present date. As the commission intervened, the PIO submitted that the problems were created because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as he was not having proper files so he couldn’t make any submissions. He stated that he would undertake the commission’s decision.
Arguments
The main arguments lie here in the displeasure shown by the PIO towards the appellant. The first petition was filed on 9.10.2019 because the petitioner was not pleased by the reply given to him and the second appeal was filed because of the lack of information provided by the PIO. The main argument was asking for the permission letter through which the demolition happened. The main reason was that some person was illegally demolishing the building.
Court’s Observation
The current prevalence of the pandemic already formed many hurdles which made the commission bent on taking some not-so-ordinary steps. The main purpose was to avoid backlogs that are emerging in the way of the very main purpose of the RTI Act.
In the matter of CIC/NDMCH/A/2020/102632, CIC/NDMCH/A/2020/102465 & CIC/NDMCH/C/2019/163240, the commission expressed severe displeasure over the conduct of PIO. Additionally, in the matter of CIC/NDMCH/A/2020/102632 and CIC/NDMCH/A/2020/102465, Commission directed the PIO, EE (B-II), KPZ, NDMC to review the instant RTI Application and provide a revised point wise reply to the appellant completely free of cost via speed post within 30 days after the normalization of the current situation. PIO re-joins the office and accordingly compliance reports to this effect should be duly sent to the Commission by the PIO.
Court’s Decision
The commission decided to dispose of the case instantly. Having said earlier every fact lies in the hands of the PIO, though this pandemic caused many complications but it’s the duty of the respective to ensure the service. The nature of the RTI Act is free of any obstacles so it’s their foremost duty to provide everything to the appellant. The commission also ordered the PIO to submit the respective information to every concerned person and the authorities.
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