PROCEEDINGS OF THE ASSAM INFORMATION COMMISSION

Case No. 25/2007
Dated 13-03-2007

Name of the Complainant:
Shri Bhagwati Prasad Siotia
C/O. Siotia Steels Ltd, Jai Narayan Road
Fancy Bazar, Guwahati - 1

Name of the Public Authority:
Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Deptt.

The following were present:
Sri Rohini Sarma
Dy. Secy, A.H. & Vety & SPIO - Public Authority

Shri Bhagwati Prasad Siotia - Complainant

The complainant and the S.P.I.O. of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department present.

Brief of the case

On 3.2.07 Shri Bhagwati Prasad Siotia submitted a petition before the Commission that he had not received required information which he sought for from the S.P.LO. of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Government of Assam in response to his petition dated 16.12.2006 filed before the S.P.I.O. of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Government of Assam. The information sought for by him was as follows:

i) Which Departments of the Government of Assam and Government of India were approached for verification of bills of M/s. Brahmaputra Syndicate, Guwahati - Bill No. BS/93-94/1 dt. 20.11.93, BS/93-94/2 dt. 03.12.93 and BS/94 dt. 31.01.94 worth Rs. 431385/-
ii) What are the findings of Departments referred in (i) above?
iii) Why the payment of above bills have not been released?
iv) When the payment of above bills will be released? Time frame thereof.

Hence this complaint case.

Submission of the parties:

The S.P.I.O. of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Government of Assam submitted that he had furnished information to the complainant vide his letter dated 5.3.2007. The complainant submitted that the information furnished by the S.P.I.O. was not to the point so he prayed before the Commission that the S.P.I.O. of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Government of Assam be directed to furnished information point-wise as stated in his petition submitted before the SPIO on 11.12.2006.

Decision of the Commission

The Commission heard both the complainant and the S.P.I.O. and had gone through the records as produced by the Deputy Secretary & S.P.I.O. of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Government of Assam. The Commission on careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case found that the information given by the SPIO is not according to the format in which the petitioner wanted it under section 7(9) of the RTI Act, 2005.

The Commission directed that the SPIO should send a letter giving information point-wise furnishing a copy of letter No. VFV.256/2005/Pt.I/33 dated 5.3.2007 along with the Finance (Budget) Department letter No. BB.33/2003/86 dated 16.1.2006. In the letter to be written by the SPIO to the complainant he should clearly state the facts as contained in his letter dated 5.3.2007 addressed to the Secretary, State Information Commission and in the letter of the Finance (Budget) Department No. BB.33/2003/86 dated 16.1.2006. He should also quote in his letter the endorsement of the Political (Vigilance Cell) Department in file No VFV.95/05 dated 20.8.05. Copies of enquiry reports conducted by the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Government of Assam should also be furnished.

These orders are to be complied with by the SPIO of Animal Husbandry &. Veterinary Department, Government of Assam within a week i.e. by 20.3.2007 and report compliance to the Commission in writing.

Sd/- (R.S. Mooshahary)
Chief Information Commissioner, Assam
Janata Bhawan, Dispur.

Sd/-(Dr. B.K. Gohain)
State Information Commissioner, Assam
Janata Bhawan, Dispur.


Authenticated true copy

(Jiauddin Ahmed)
Secretary, State Information Commission, Assam
Janata Bhawan, Dispur.

Memo No SIC.25/2007/9 Dated March 13, 2007

CC:
1. Sri Rohini Sarma, Deputy Secretary, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Government of Assam & SPIO.
2. Shri Bhagwati Prasad Siotia, C/O. Siotia Steels Ltd, Jai Narayan Road, Fancy Bazar, Guwahati - 1
3. MD, AMTRON, Bamunimaidan.
4. Office file.


Secretary
State Information Commission, Assam