Dated 24-04-2007

Name of the Complainant:
Shri Akhil Gogoi,
Near Circuit House, D R College Road
Ward No.9, Golaghat.

Name of the Public Authority:
PD, DRDA, Golaghat

The following were present:
1. Shri B C Phukan PD, DRDA, Golaghat
2. Shri Probin Ch. Acbaryya APO (T), DRDA, Golaghat - Public Authorities

The complainant absent without intimation. Shri B.C. Phukan, PD, DRDA, Golaghat and Shri Probin Ch. Acharyya, APO (T), DRDA Golaghat & SPIO were present

Brief of the case

On 12.03.07 Shri Akhil Gogoi of Golaghat submitted a Complaint before the Chief Information Commissioner to the fact that he submitted a petition before th e SPIO, DRDA, Golaghat for furnishing information but did not receive information from the SPIO, DRDA till date. The information sought for by him were:

1. State share and Central share under IAY, SGSY, SGRY, PMGY, Administrative Expenditure, Contingency Expenditure etc from 2003-04 to 2006-07. Amount sanctioned by Government along with sanction order nos. and draft nos. The information relating to State share (IAY, SGSY, SGRY) were received but he wanted details of Central share.

2. In the information furnished to him 30% State share from 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 were not furnished. This money was spent by DRDA straightway. For what purpose the money was spent should be specified.

3. Amount sanctioned for Zilla Parishad from 2003-04 up to date may be given.

4. Details of the amount spent on SGSY from 2003-04 to till date. Which Self Help Groups were entrusted and for what?

5. Copies of the register showing the cheque release from PD, DRDA to Zilla Parishad, Gaon Panchayat (from 2003-04 to till date).

6. Bank Account Nos. of DRDA

7. The list of the amounts received from the Director by the PD, DRDA.

8. Central share (additional) amounting to Rs. 121.51 lakhs received from the Central Government on 29 th March, 2006 for the year 2005-06and 2006-07. List of expenditure made.

9. Which Panchayat got how much money on IAY scheme for the year 2005-06 and 2006-07? List along with the names to be furnished.

10. What are the amounts sanctioned for Natural Calamities from PD's office and who spent the amount.

11. Photocopies of cheque release register (from 1 st February, 2006 to 10 th November, 2006)

12. Additional amount sanctioned for Morangi Block under Innovative Rural Housing scheme from 1 st February to 10 th November 2006.

Submission of the PD, DRDA & SPIO, DRDA

The SPIO informed the Commission that on receipt of the application from the complainant on 25.1.07 he furnished some information to the complainant. However due to ignorance he did not get any receipt for the same. PD, DRDA, Golaghat submitted that his office was ready to furnish information sought for by any person. He received the application submitted to the Director, Panchayat by Shri Akhil Gogoi, the complainant. On receipt of this application the SPIO furnished information on 26.3.07 i.e before Sri Akhil Gogoi submitted his complaint to the Hon'ble Commission. The SPIO again furnished the remaining information on 12.4.07. The complainant was informed vide letter dated 26.3.07 that other information sought for him were huge in number. However, after 5 th April 2007 the same may be available for inspection during office hours for his perusal and noting at his own cost. PD, DRDA informed the Commission that Shri Gogoi did not turn up for inspection and for taking notes.

The SPIO sought apology from the Commission for delay in furnishing information.

Decision of the Commission

The Commission on a careful consideration of all the issues, decided to hear the case as ex-parte. The Commission noted that the information sought for by the petitioner had been furnished to him in stages. However, in absence of the petitioner it was not possible to conclude if the information given was full and correct. It was thus made clear to the SPIO and PD, DRDA that the case would be reopened should the petitioner come up with complaint that the information furnished to him was incomplete or misleading or not true.

The Commission found that the delay in furnishing the "information was not intentional. It was rather on account of both the factors of ignorance of the R TI Act and also the volume of works involved in furnishing the information. The Commission, therefore, accepted their apology and refrained from imposing any penalty on them.

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.

CC:
1. Shri B C Phukan, PD, DRDA, Golaghat.
2. Shri Probin Ch. Acharyya APO (T), DRDA, Golaghat.
3. Shri Akhil Gogoi, Near Circuit House, DR College Road Ward No.9, Golaghat.
4. MD, AMTRON, Bamunimaidan
5. Office file.


Secretary
State Information Commission, Assam