In the first meeting of its kind to review the working of
Information Commissioner, Shri Shailesh Gandhi by the RTI applicants, the issue of non-compliance of CIC’S decisions became the main point of discussion. Shri Shailesh Gandhi, Information Commissioner assured the participants that he will do sething concrete about it and may hold special hearings every month to hear such grievances and the details for this will be made available shortly. He agreed to call the appellants also in the hearing of show cause notices so that no misrepresentation is made by any party. Shri Gandhi said that he has brought the pendency from about 11-month to only two-month by disposing 400-450 cases every month. He informed that about 40 to 50% penalties were imposed by him during the last two year of his tenure against the total penalties imposed by all the CIC during the last five years but imposing penalties is not the solution. Mr. Gandhi opined that if the case is not heard and decided in about two months, in that case, the RTI Act will be meaningless and the public may refrain to use it. He said that he is facing staff crunch and has repeatedly written to the government to give more staff and he therefore has to employ some staff on his own and paying their salary himself. He is also making efforts that the information should be provided by speed posts and is making it clear frequently to the CPIO’s that if the appellant complains of non-receipt of letter sent under UPC, he will accept his version. Participants suggested that cases should not be closed immediately after the delivery of decisions till the information is supplied and for this, views of the appellants should be taken before the closure to which he agreed. One participant said that the stamp to fix on the certificate of posting (UPC) is easily available at the counter of the Post Office and any body can easily manage to fix the stamp on the Certificate without sending the letter. Mr. Gandhi said he does not claim that all his decisions are 100 per cent perfect but believes that are 80-85% right but no body is perfect and he is open on the issue. He also said that he has issued arrest warrants many times during his tenure for non-compliance of orders.