Framing RTI: A strange situation after No RTI response

[sandeeprajsinghtandon]

Hi,
I have landed into a strange situation. I filed an RTI query for my daughters passport 30 days back and i recieved a phone call from an officer who said, that police verification is pending. We got that done and then the CID guys sent an INCOMPLETE report to the Passport office and cited a reason as "Surname for the Applicant not added".

I went to the office and i mentioned it to the RTI officer that niether a reply nor the CID details are known to me. He then said after a heated argument that "He will do my passport" and just dumped my application on one side. I am 100% sure that he wont.

Now, since i dont have any RTI reply but i also went to meet the RTI officer myself and he said that CID report is incomplete but he would still do it, i dont know what to do.
Should i file a First Appeal?
What if he makes excuse of my meeting with the RTI officer for not pursuing the matter?

thanks
sandeepraj

[DineshK]

Sponsorer

If you have not received the information within 30 days, you must file a first appeal. Meeting a PIO can be a reason to deny the information you have asked under the act after paying the fee. He must provide you requested information within 30 days of receipt of application.

Did you ask for the copy of verification report and name, designation of officer who carried out the investigation ? If not, then file another RTI asking him the certified copies.

[sandeeprajsinghtandon]

Thanks Dinesh,
Do you know if for First Appeal to Mumbai Passport office, i need to pay any fees.
My understanding is that since passport office falls under Central Govt, no fees is needed.
Could you please confirm

and by the way, i am certain that the verification report does contain the "incompletion due to missing surnames". However, my fight is that they have not asked for any documental proof to move the document ahead. Even when i met them today.
I am trying to understand how to fit this in my first appeal.

thanks
sandeepraj

[DineshK]

There is no fee for filing a first appeal. Send the copy of your first appeal to the PIO also.

I suggest you to file another RTI application asking following information from PIO of passport office

1. Certified copy of investigation report submitted by police officer.
2. Date on which the verification report was submitted by officer.
3. As per rule of your department what action should be taken by your office if there is incomplete or missing surname in the application form.
4. As per rule of your department in how much time the passport should be issued to the applicant.
5. What action can be taken against the officer who delays the issuance of passport without a valid reason.
6. Name, designation and contact number officer who can be approached in case the passport officer delays the passport application without any valid reason.
7 .. any more point yo wish to add .........

[sandeeprajsinghtandon]

Hi All,
They gave me a shoddy reply to the RTI but however, my parcel has reached the destination. The effect RTI had was that they followed up with the intermediaries a little more diligently.

Thanks Guys
Sandeepraj