IB to inquire causes of delay in providing info under RTI: CIC

[karira]

New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to inquire into the delay in responding to an RTI application which had sought details on allegations of corruption against one of its officials.
CIC's order came in respect to IB's five-month-long delay in replying to an information request of Delhi-resident Hemraj Singh inquiring into actions taken on his earlier complaint against an official of the rank of Assistant Sub-Inspector for allegedly misusing his government accommodation.

Intelligence Bureau, which appears in the second schedule of the RTI Act, is an exempted organisation and can only be proceeded against in cases pertaining to allegations of corruption or human rights violations.

Taking cognisance of the fact that the allegations levelled against its official pertained to charges of corruption, Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah has directed IB's Deputy Director to inquire into the causes of delay and put up an explanation on the same within 15 days.

"We find that the complaint of unauthorized drawal of HRA by Chander Pal (ASI, IB) would indeed have constituted a corrupt practice worthy of application of RTI invoking proviso to section 24 (1) [referring to allegations of corruption]," the Commission observed.

Singh had on December six, 2005 filed an application with Director of IB seeking information on its action in respect to his earlier complaints against its official.

IB's response, which came five months thereafter on May 11 last year, had said that its ASI Chander Pal as per an order of Directorate of Estates was found 'ineligible' for enjoying government accommodation for his remaining period of service. PTI

IB to inquire causes of delay in providing info under RTI: CIC

[Abhinav Bohare]

Well , this seems to be case pertaining to Govt employee Accommodation and not to Security...CIC has not asked for information pertaining to National Security or Intelligence Operation being conducted by Intelligence Bureau. CIC has asked about the Officer who was enjoying accomodation and was found "ineligible"

This is absolutely as per RTI Act , that security agencies can'e be questioned but for as Karira mentioned ofr "Non National Security matter informations"

And Just of everyone's knowledge there is nothing like ASI, SI, Inspectors in RAW, SPG as well as IB.Here you would find Junior CIO, Asst CIO, Dy CIO in IB and Junior FO, DyFO, Asst FO in RAW and Asst SO, Junior SO, Dy SO, SSO etc in SPG.

Anyone who comes directly through Intelligence Services or through deputation to RAW or SPG has to take the above positions. Though his pay scale can be compared to the ASI, SI , Inspector, DSP, ASP or SP, DIG IG etc of the Police forces.

Another imp aspect

IB is a Central Paramilitary organization and not a Police organization and even RPF is no included as CPO orgn as IB.

Thnx