New Delhi: The central information commission (CIC) has summoned army chief Gen Deepak Kapoors wife Kirti Kapoor to explain the legal status of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) she heads. Kirti acts as AWWAs ex-officio president. Retired Major Guneet Chaudhary has moved the commission, invoking the right to information (RTI), to seek details about the associations working, funding and legal status.

The armys information officers have distanced themselves from Maj Chaudharys query. Kirti could engage a lawyer to appear before the CIC and disclose the unclassified information to the applicant. The CIC has not fixed the date of hearing.

The summons issued by information commission Satyanand Mishra says, "The real issue of consideration is whether AWWA is a public authority. The contention of the appellant is that it is a part of the army and, hence, the army authorities should provide all information in respect of AWWA."

It also says, "Before taking any view on the nature of AWWA..., it would be just and fair to give AWWA an opportunity of hearing. During the course of hearing, we were given to understand that the AWWA had been registered as a society under the Registration of Society Act, not only at the Central level, but also at various Command level".

The CIC said, "It should be made clear that if it (AWWA) fails to be present through any of its office bearers or through any authorised representatives, the matter would be heard and decided ex parte".

Earlier this month, a full-bench of CIC castigated the all-powerful cabinet secretariat and the department of personnel, training and pensions (DOPT) for adopting delaying tactics in imparting information to the applicants.

The bench said CIC was above all government departments. "In fact, they should have known that no level in government is higher than the provisions of an RTI Act passed by parliament. In fact the issue boils down to an authority like the cabinet secretariat going against the sanctity of the very Act itself," CIC said.

"As such, the commission sees no reason whatsoever to delay the matter further and directs the respondents (DOPT and CS) to abide by the commissions decision," CIC said in an order.
Source : Central