Section 8(1)(j) - personal information - A Case in point

[jointoe]

Dear All,
I would like to share a recent triumph over an adamant Govt Officer regarding RTI.
I seeked information from Superintendent Archaeologist, ASI, Govt. Of India, Salt Lake Branch, regarding "whether a certain LDC had applied for Government quarters from the concerned Estate Manager and if so when".
He rejected the application invoking Section 8(1)(j), contending that it was personal information.
I appealed to the Appellate Authority, DG, Eastern Zone, arguing that it was not personal information because I was inquiring about government property. Interestingly, I found that even property related query was allowed by the CIC if it related to the integrity of the concerned Govt. servant.
The Appellate Authority directed the SA, ASI to furnish the information.
But the story doesn't end there.
SA, ASI, replied to me that the relevant records were not available in his office. I had got the information in the mean time from the Estate Manager's office and sent that stubborn man a copy for HIS records!
MORAL - Hit the goal post from several angles and information will be yours.

[taurus]

Sponsorer

That is a good effort. Congrats.