Orissa

Rayagada

CC/15/116

Sri Dayananda Khadanga - Complainant(s)

Versus

The Public Information Officer, Kolnara Block - Opp.Party(s)

Self

30 Nov 2016

ORDER

                 DISTRICT   CONSUMER  DISPUTES REDRESSAL    FORUM, RAYAGADA

                                                 C.C. Case  No.116/ 2015.

                                                         

 P R E S E N T .

Sri Pradeep Kumar Dash, LL.B,                             President.

Sri Gadadhara Sahu,B.Sc.                         Member

            Sri Dayananda Khadanga, S/o late Gouranga Khadanga Sharama, Saipriya Nagar,  Rayagada,             Odisha.                                                                        …….Complainant.

                                                            Versus

            The      P.I.O, Kolnara Block Office, Kolnara, Dist. Rayagada.

                                                                                                               …..Opp.Party

Counsel for the parties:

For the complainant: In Person

For the O.Ps: Self

                                                                JUDGMENT

                        The facts of the complaint  in brief is that  the complainant has applied for supply of information under the R.T.I Act,2005 on 30.10.2013   along with the prescribed fees  in the office of the O.p. No.1 for which  the O.p. No.1 has issued an acknowledgement  of receipt of the application.  Thereafter  the complainant contacted several times  but the O.ps advised to await for some time to get the information and when the complainant did not get any information he approached this forum and prayed to direct the O.ps to  give information as  applied by him and award suitable compensation for harassment . Hence this complaint.

                         On being noticed, the O.p 1  appeared nor filed  reply stating therein that  the RTI application of complainant was returned  due to no  deposit  of fee in shape of cash/challan  and requested to take necessary  action and  intimate the PIO for taking necessary action.

             Again at para-10  Hon’ble Supreme Court  further  held that:-

                        “ Harassment of a common man by public authority is socially abhorring and legally impermissible. It  may harm him personally but the injury to society is for more grievous crime and corruption thrive and damaging than  the feeling of helplessness. An ordinary citizen instead of complaining and fighting succumbs to the pressure of undesirable functioning in offices in stead of standing against it therefore the aware  of compensation for harassment by public authorities not openly compensates.  The individual, satisfies him personally but helps in curing social  evil. It may result to improving the work culture and help in changing the outlook”.

            As we have already held  in the foregoing points that the complaint is maintainable, and it is not barred by limitation and the O.s have committed deficiency in service to the complainant, in our opinion the complainant is entitled to get relief. Hence we are inclined to pass the following order.

On the strength of the aforesaid rulings of the highest judicial bodies of the country this forum allows this case. Hence, to meet the ends of justice, the following order is passed.

                                                  ORDER

The O.p. is directed to supply  the required information sought by the complainant in his application within 15 days and pay an examplary cost of Rs.1500/- to the complainant .

                        Pronounced in open forum today on this  18^th day of November,2016 under the seal and signature of this forum.

                         A copy of this order as per the statutory requirements , be forwarded to the parties    free of charge.

 

 

                     Member                                                                                      President