Need Help: denying information under RTI

[aruncmathew]

Sir,
For an RTI query regarding revision of estimates in PWD department done by Chief engineer with respect to works done by a particular contractor. Initially the PIO at the office of chief engineer has told that the information is spread across 3 circles and 16 divisions of PWD and forced me to write to each of these subdivision.
then one PIO has informed that they do not have adequate manpower and hence requested to inspect the records on my own. How should I deal with this?

Another PIO in one division has told that they do not keep record of works based on contractor name and hence it is no possible

the worst thing is that the chief engineer itself is the first appellate authority of the department.

regards
Arun

[selvarajan]

Sponsorer

RULE 5 (1) OF RTI ACT., Every public authority shall, within one hundred days of the enactment of this Act, designate as many officers as the Central Public Information Officers or State Public Information Officers, as the case may be, in all administrative units or offices under it as may be necessary to provide information to persons requesting for the information under this Act.

PIO/CPIO cannot say the reason that they don't have manpower, which is irrelevant to the applicant under RTI ACT. File the first appeal under section 19 with FAA against the PIO/CPIO reply.