RTI query on VIP pyre platforms built by MCD

[sidmis]

RTI query on VIP pyre platforms built by MCD
as reported by Abhinav Garg, 1 Oct 2008, TNN

NEW DELHI: Can the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) discriminate even in death and accord VIP cremations to some while denying it to others? Central Information Commission will take up this question on Wednesday on an RTI plea seeking information on criteria adopted by MCD to allow utilisation of its three newly built platforms for funeral purposes.

The issue arose on an RTI plea, filed by Subhash Chandra Aggarwal in August this year, where he made queries about ‘‘reasons to build three semi-VIP pyre-platforms at Nigambodh Ghat Cremation Ground, and criterion for allowing cremation on these three semi-VIP pyre-platforms.’’

In his plea, Aggarwal further wondered if it was ‘‘fair that discrimination is done by MCD even in cremation between ordinary and influential persons’’ also demanding to know if there was any procedure of allowing cremation on the only high-raised VVIP platform which is-----* pressed into service.

Responding to his questions and demand for file notings, the information officer for the civic agency claimed that the construction of these so called VIP platforms was infact for ‘‘public-benefit’’ and that everyone could use them subject to availability. However, the CPIO remained mum on the query about procedure to apply for use of VIP or semi-VIP platforms and refused to furnish any related file notings.

Unable to comprehend how erecting three platforms which are different from the rest as they have a grill around a block of three pyres could benefit the public, Aggarwal went in appeal, suspecting it was more to satisfy the ego of certain persons that a separate facility like this was provided for by MCD.

The appellate authority too failed to shed any light on procedure followed to allow usage of VIP and semi-VIP platforms at Nigambodh Ghat.

CIC is slated to consider the appeal on Wednesday.

RTI query on VIP pyre platforms built by MCD-Delhi-Cities-The Times of India

[karira]

As reported on ptinews.com on 02 October 2008:
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite...5?OpenDocument

CIC to inspect Nigambodh Ghat

New Delhi, Oct 2 (PTI) In a rare decision, Central Information Commission plans to conduct an inspection of the Nigambodh Ghat here on Saturday over allegations that there is a big difference between services offered to common citizens and VIPs at most crematoria in the city.

Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah while hearing a petition filed by an RTI activist Subhash Agrawal accepted his plea for undertaking a physical inspection of the site along with officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

In his plea, Agrawal claimed that MCD has recently installed a grill around pyre platforms for common citizens and named them as semi-VIP platforms. The MCD had claimed that these were built 25 years ago and the installation of the grill was only part of renovation.

Agrawal wanted to know from MCD the reasons for constructing new semi-VIP pyre platforms and the criterion for allowing cremation on these platforms.

The civic body in its reply had claimed these platforms were built for "public-benefit" and could be used by anyone subject to availability.

During the hearing, Agrawal raised the issue of "discrimination" done by MCD even in death and cremation. He alleged that the semi-VIP pyre platform were built to satisfy the so-called ego of the rich and the influential.

"At Nigambodh Ghat there is already a raised VIP platform. There was one old platform which was demolished to build these new ones. The MCD had just added a grill to distinguish them from the common platforms," Agrawal said before the Commission.

He alleged that these semi-VIP pyre platforms were constructed to serve influential people who do not want to cremate their relatives with common people.

[sidmis]

In a rare decision, Central Information Commission plans to conduct an inspection of the Nigambodh Ghat here on Saturday

Is there any absolute necessity for the CIC to visit personally to ascertain the facts?

Is it not possible to depute someone to do this?

[karira]

Originally Posted by sidmis

Is there any absolute necessity for the CIC to visit personally to ascertain the facts?

Is it not possible to depute someone to do this?

It was the appellant who requested that inspection be done by the Commission to establish the correct facts, because the appellant said that NDMC was not giving the correct facts.

Please see:

http://cic.gov.in/CIC-Orders/WB-01102008-05.pdf