Vide two identically worded replies (202/EV/RTI/2014 & 203/EV/RTI/2014) dated 05 Nov 14 and received on 12 Nov 14 by Speed Post, Deptt of Expenditure, MoF has denied request for the Cabinet Secretary headed Committee Report on resolution of anomalies in pay and allowances for Defence Forces personnel.
The denial is based on Section 8 (1) (i) of the RTI Act, 2005 because the report is classified SECRET.
A first appeal under Section 19 of the RTI Act, 2005 is being prepared based on earlier decisions of the Central Information Commission and a Writ Petition in the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi.
There is as an article in India Today in 2012 which attributes the contents to "a high government official" giving, ostensibly, the gist of the report including Rs 2300 crore towards enhanced pensions for retired Defence Personnel.
The appeal will be sent by RPAD on 18 Nov 14.
The denial is based on Section 8 (1) (i) of the RTI Act, 2005 because the report is classified SECRET.
A first appeal under Section 19 of the RTI Act, 2005 is being prepared based on earlier decisions of the Central Information Commission and a Writ Petition in the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi.
There is as an article in India Today in 2012 which attributes the contents to "a high government official" giving, ostensibly, the gist of the report including Rs 2300 crore towards enhanced pensions for retired Defence Personnel.
The appeal will be sent by RPAD on 18 Nov 14.
Dear Sir,
ReplyDeleteAs per Sec 8 (i) and 8 (2),the disclosure of proceedings of Committee of Secretaries which was constituted by the PMO to look into some anomalies in pay and allowances in respect of serving and defence personnel cannot be denied access. Moreso, it does not rightfully fall under any sub-section of Sec 8 of RTI Act, 2005. Even on a previous occasion, they had denied to you copies of file notings on OROP statng that MoD had classified it as "Most Confidential". Even the Official Secrets Act of 1923 does not define what is Top Secret, Secret,or Confidential.
Pl pursue the matter till CIC and we should achieve success going by previous rulings of the past CIC. I am not really sure whether a CIC has been appointed by this Govt in recent times.
Eagerly awaiting for some positive results! With Best Wishes.
PS: Rank Pay hearing postponement for the fourth time, through by a week or ten days every time, is quite puzzling or worrisome to say the least. Any disclosable inputs from RDOA stalwarts ?
@Young50,
DeleteRelax!
MoD has sent me 72 pages of information which gives the gist of what was approved by the Cabinet (for retired Defence Forces personnel vide 8 letters dated 17.1.2013) and what was recommended by the Cabinet Secy Committee (Report) to be referred to the next Pay Commission (pay, Grade pay & NFU for serving Defence Forces personnel) and much else.
I have read and re-read the 72 pages and typing each word as meticulously as possible so that the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth is placed on this blog.
I am also mailing a First Appeal based on documents provided by DoE, MoF as well as judgments of the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi and the rulings of the CIC starting from way back in 2006.
Yes, aware of the valid reasons for postponement but unable to disclose because that is RDOA's prerogative.