CIC-verdict dated 05.05.2017 in petition-number CIC/KY/C/2016/000286-BJ by Central Information Commissioner Bimal Julka has again recommended issue of RTI-stamps or numbered RTI-coupons as mode for payment of RTI-fees. Earlier a full-bench CIC-order by a bench consisting of commissioners Satyananda Mishra, ML Sharma and Basant Seth had for the first time made recommendations in this regard. Subsequently several other Commissioners including like Professor Madabhushnam Sridhar Acharyulu also made similar recommendations in their respective verdicts. Even Joint Secretary at CIC on directions of present Chief Information Commissioner Radha Krishna Mathur wrote to DoPT in this regard. But red-tapism made DoPT and Postal Department rejecting the recommendations.
It is non-sensible for postal-department to spend rupees 39.99 on handling of a postal-order of rupees ten with banking-system bearing additional cost in its handling. There is no provision of payment of copying charges below rupees ten, because postal-orders in denominations less than rupees ten being since discontinued. Otherwise also many public-authorities refuse to accept postal-orders in name of DoPT-instructed ‘Accounts Officer’. Postal-department had initially accepted the recommendation after full-bench verdict, but changed its stand later. DoPT while in an earlier committee kept a CIC-representative along with that of postal-department to consider the issue. But in the later committee CIC-representative was avoided because of CIC-letter supporting the idea on directions of Chief Information Commissioner.
All the Central Information Commissioners should pass strong-worded resolution for issue of RTI stamps or numbered RTI-coupons in denominations of rupees 2, 10 and 50.
SUBHASH CHANDRA AGRAWAL