SH. S S RANAWAT Vs. CENTRAL PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, PETROLEUM AND EXPLOSIVE SAFETY ORGANISATION, CONTROLLER OF EXPLOSIVES

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS matter pertains to an RTI application dated 30.10.2011 filed by the Complainant, seeking information on six points regarding licence holders of explosives. The Complainant lodged a complaint with the Commission vide his letter dated 10.12.2011, stating that he had received no response from the CPIO within the time frame stipulated in the RTI Act.

(2.) WE heard the submissions of the Complainant and the Respondents. The Respondents stated that the RTI Application was received by them on 17.11.2011 and a reply was sent to the Complainant vide their letter dated 15.12.2011, which was despatched from their office on 16.12.2011. The Complainant submitted that he has postal record to show that his application was received by the Respondents on 4.11.2011. The Respondents, on the other hand, submitted that as per their records, the Application was received by them on 17.11.2011. They further submitted that the Complainant had sent them a copy of the postal record concerning the letter despatched by him. However, this record did not pertain to the RTI Application sent to them, but to some other communication.

(3.) EVEN if we go by the claim of the Complainant that his RTI application was received in the office of the Respondents on 4.11.2011, the delay in responding to the same comes to around ten days. In view of the foregoing and the contradictory claims of both the sides, we do not consider it necessary to enquire further into this matter.