Disclose number of files on Bose held by PMO: CIC
Chief Information Commissioner RK Mathur has directed the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to disclose the number of files on Subhas Chandra Bose that are still being held by it. The directive came on a plea by Shobhit Goel who had in January 2017 asked the PMO about the number of files available with it related to Subhas Chandra Bose from 1947 to 2016.
Petitioner didn't get satisfactory reply from the PMO
Not getting a satisfactory response from the PMO, Goel approached the CIC with an appeal against the orders of the Central Public Information Officer and the First Appellate Authority. The PMO transferred his application to the Union Culture Ministry for furnishing the response after over a month, whereas according to the RTI Act it should have been done within five days, Goel underscored.
There were 58 files related to Bose in PMO's office
During the hearing, the PMO officials told Mathur that there were 58 files related to Bose in their office that have already been sent to the National Archives of India. Further, the information sought by the appellant is of a sensitive nature and hence it took time to consult the officer concerned to take action in the matter, they said.
Respondent has given wrong information regarding the files
Petitioner Goel said that the respondent has admitted that there were 58 files in their office but the respondent has given wrong information to him regarding the number of files available in the PMO related to Bose.
CIC sought PMO's response within seven days
The Commission is of the view that the respondent should give a revised reply to the appellant on point no. 1 (regarding the number of files available in PMO related to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, etc.) of his RTI application dated January 5, 2017, Mathur said. He directed the PMO to give the response as per his order within seven days.
