[HumJanenge] CIC warns SSC chairman for 'utter disregard' of panel

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-08/india/33099943_1_central-public-information-officer-cic-information-commissioner-satyananda-mishra

NEW DELHI: Chief Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra has issued
a stern warning to the chairman of the Staff Selection Commission
asking him to send a "right and relevant" officer during hearing in a
case pending since 2009 failing which he may be personally summoned.

Mishra was hearing the plea of Gwalior-based Amit Kumar Jain who
sought some information in October 2009 and did not get it within the
mandatory one month period following which he filed a complaint before
the CIC in December 2009.

After delay of nearly three years, when the case came for hearing
before Mishra in January, a retired employee appeared on the behalf of
SSC who claimed he was superannuated in July 2009 and had no knowledge
about the RTI application.

Mishra issued notices to the present official, dealing with RTI
applications at SSC, Central Public Information Officer, to appear
before the Commission and explain the delay in furnishing the
information.

In the next hearing on February 13, another officer appeared who did
not have any knowledge about the case.

Irked at the behaviour, CIC issued notice to Chairman SSC to depute
the officer concerned having knowledge about the case to appear for
hearing. But in the hearing once again same retired officer appeared.

"It is both sad and surprising that, once again, the same officer who
has retired in 2009 was directed to appear. This shows complete lack
of application of mind and utter disregard of the CIC. We cannot go on
hearing this case indefinitely to identify the officer who is guilty
of not providing the information in time," Mishra pointed out.