‘Need time to upload project info’

After missing the September 15 deadline set by the Central Information Commission (CIC) for uploading on its official website information relating to the tendering process for all its Games projects,the NDMC has now written to the CIC seeking ‘extra time’ of two weeks to follow the directions.

It is understood that the NDMC secretary Santosh Vaidya wrote to the CIC on September 16,seeking an additional 15 days to upload the information on their official website,claiming the civic body is yet to compile all relevant information. “All our departmental heads have been busy with the various Games projects,hence we have not been able to collect and compile the required data yet,” said Anand Tiwari,Director,Public Relations,NDMC.

While the NDMC website already displays information like details of recent tenders etc,authorities said the civic body is yet compile details of the previous year’s projects. “The unintended delay occurred as the CIC directions reached us almost a month late. While the Delhi government received a letter to this effect in August,it was forwarded to the NDMC only in the first week of September,” an official said.

Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi confirmed receiving the aforementioned letter. Gandhi further told Newsline that he has spoken to Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta stressing that the information must be in the “public domain in accordance with Section 4 of the RTI Act”.

The Chief Secretary is now likely to hold a meeting with the civic authorities on the matter on Monday. “While the need to meet deadlines is important,it is equally essential that such information is made available to the public even if it happens a few days later. While they may be granted more time,they will be required to upload all information,” the CIC said.

CIC order for info on websites
In August,the CIC had directed the Delhi government,the MCD and the NDMC to upload on their official websites details of all projects,Games-related and developmental,taken up in the last five years. While the NDMC and the government were to furnish all details by September 15,the MCD was given time till the month-end.