New Delhi, Sep 22 (PTI) The Central Information Commission has directed the Sports Ministry to allow para athlete Surjeet Kumar to inspect records related to the pending disbursements of his cash awards after he claimed that he had not received them for several years despite winning medals at various levels.
Information Commissioner P R Ramesh passed the direction while hearing Kumar’s appeal against the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports related to information sought about his cash awards.
Kumar had sought information on whether he had officially represented India or a national body in para-powerlifting, his year-wise and event-wise medals, prescribed cash awards, the amount released to him, pending awards and reasons for delay in their disbursement.
He also sought relevant file notings and communications related to the award process.
Kumar filed an appeal in the CIC alleging that the information provided by the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) was incomplete, false and misleading in the initial response.
During the CIC hearing, the Sports Ministry said cash incentive schemes are processed through a dedicated DBT portal and information relating to incentives given to Kumar by the Department of Sports and the Haryana government could be checked on the portal.
In its written submission, the department said information sought regarding cash incentives, pending awards and related file documents was “third party information”.
It also said the status of cash-incentive applications could be checked through the DBT portal.
The CIC, however, observed that Kumar had sought information regarding his participation records, medal achievements and pending cash award disbursements.
“Considering the fact that the appellant, a para athlete, has sought information relating to pending cash award disbursements, the same should have been provided by the CPIO as per the provisions of the RTI Act,” the Commission said.
The Commission directed the CPIO to provide Kumar or his authorised representative an opportunity to inspect the available and relevant records sought in his RTI application.
If the relevant information pertains to another branch or department, the PIO concerned should procure and provide the documents for inspection, the CIC said.
(PTI News)
