CIC orders NCW to compensate RTI applicant for denial of information

The National Commission for Women (NCW) will now compensate an RTI applicant who was obstructed information by the women's rights body. The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed NCW to compensate as well as to investigate the reason behind the sudden removal of its joint secretary, who was hearing the plea of the RTI applicant (the former employee).The employee filed a sexual harassment complaint against another NCW employee. The sexual harassment complaint recorded that a former woman research assistant who accused that central public information officer of the NCW of sexually harassing her. It was alleged that the commission following the complaint decided not to extend her contract. Thereafter, the complainant filed an RTI application, requesting an inspection of the files, contract and reports of NCW officials related to her complaint. After she failed to get a response, she approached the CIC. Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu noted that serious irregularities in the system in which the woman's RTI plea was managed. After which the Acharyulu directed Satbir Bedi, member secretary, NCW, to investigate facts and suggest action against officers responsible for the denial of information under the RTI Act and look into the & quot anti-RTI working& quot at the NCW. He went back to previous order where the NCW was directed to pay Rs 50,000 as compensation to the applicant, and also imposed a penalty on the public information officer. In a hearing, the CIC had noted that the NCW CPIO was the same person who was facing the charge of sexual harassment. It had said the official denied access to information. Acharyulu had imposed a penalty on the CPIO, but he had filed a plea for reconsideration, which was rejected. While hearing Acharyulu also challenged the & quot abrupt& quot removal of the first appellate authority, Vandana Gupta, who was also the joint secretary. & quot It is clear from her written submission that Gupta was not allowed to complete the hearing process. She was abruptly removed from service in violation of norms that suggest a joint secretary should not be relieved until a substitute officer is appointed,& quot Acharyulu said. The First Appellate Authority (FAA) is an official senior to the central public information officer who replies to an RTI application. If an applicant is dissatisfied with the reply of the CPIO, he or she can approach the FAA and file a first appeal. The information commissioner hearing the matter further directed Bedi to complete the investigation process within a month and file a report before October 20 along with relevant documents.