RTI victory for JAC at PGI: CPIO directed to provide info in 30 days
Chandigarh: In a significant development at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, the first appellate authority (FAA) has directed the chief public information officer (CPIO), Vigilance Cell, to furnish information sought under Right to Information (RTI) Act, free of cost, within 30 days.
The order follows a complaint filed by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of PGI over denial of RTI information.
The JAC had sought details of cases referred to the
Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI) from January 1, 2020, onward, specifically those related to fraudulent withdrawal of medicines, drugs, and surgical items on forged indents in the Prime Minister's Grant case. However, the CPIO rejected the application, stating that the JAC did not qualify as a "citizen" under Rule 3 of the RTI Act, 2005.
In response, the JAC filed a first appeal dated May 24, 2025, before the FAA, requesting immediate disclosure of the information and enforcement of suo moto publication of such details on PGIMER's website under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act. They also called for imposition of a penalty of Rs 250 per day for delay in providing information, as prescribed under Section 20 (1) of the Act.
Dr Sunil K Gupta, chief vigilance officer and first appellate authority, issued a detailed ruling directing the CPIO to provide the requested information within 30 days and ensure its publication on the official website of the institute.
He observed that the original case file was examined and the CPIO's technical objection—based on a narrow interpretation of the term "citizen"—was not tenable in light of prevailing legal precedents.
"The CPIO, Vigilance Cell, is directed to provide requisite information as per rule to the applicant within 30 days, free of cost, and also ensure suo moto disclosure of the information on the website of PGIMER," stated Dr Gupta in the order.
The FAA also referenced a Central Information Commission (CIC) ruling dated January 7, 2025, which clarified that office-bearers of associations, unions, and other collective entities are entitled to seek information under the RTI Act on behalf of their organisations. This legal precedent played a crucial role in the decision to allow the JAC's application.
A copy of the order has been sent to the system analyst, computer cell, PGIMER, for prompt uploading of relevant information on the institution's website.
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