CIC Slams PIO For Denying Pending Case Details Citing ‘Non-Availability Of Files’

Central Information Commissioner Prof M Sridhar Acharyalu, in the case of Vijendra Singh Jafa vs PIO, MOSJE, has slammed the PIO for refusing to provide information sought on grounds of non-availability of the files in question and also made recommendations to the Department of Personnel and Training, the nodal agency for the implementation of the Right to Information Act.RTI applicant VS. Central Information Commissioner Prof M Sridhar Acharyalu, in the case of Vijendra Singh Jafa vs PIO, MOSJE, has slammed the PIO for refusing to provide information sought on grounds of non-availability of the files in question and also made recommendations to the Department of Personnel and Training, the nodal agency for the implementation of the Right to Information Act. “This amounts to denial on an illegal ground of ‘missing files’ not based on any of valid exception under Sections 8 and 9 of RTI Act.” The same ruling was also given by the CIC in the case of Balendra Kumar vs Ministry of Labour and Employment. The frequent reference to ‘missing files’ as an excuse to deny the information is a major threat to transparency, accountability and also major reason for violation of Right to Information Act. With “missing files excuse” being around, it will be futile to talk about implementation of Right to Information Act.” The commission observed that the claim of missing files leads to doubts regarding corruption, deliberate destruction and fraud on behalf of the public officials.