Coopertive Socities are UNDER RTI Ambit Punjan and Haryana High Court

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REJIMON C K

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Sep 11, 2010, 9:48:10 PM9/11/10
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This is in addition to DCS Rule/Act where special provision for filing rti with Delhi Coopertive Group  Housing society exists.
 

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hc-cooperative-societies-are-public-authorities-bound-to-give-info-under-rti/680289/0

A division bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday dismissed an appeal filed by a sugar mill co-operative society, which had refused to furnish information demanded under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Ajay Tewari dismissed the appeal filed by the mill holding that co-operative societies are public authorities and are bound to furnish information under the RTI Act.

The mill, Karnal Co-operative Sugar Mills Limited, had refused to give certain information under the RTI as demanded by a resident of Haryana. Following this a petition was filed before the State Information Commission, Haryana, which directed the mill to furnish information holding that it was a public authority under the RTI Act, 2005.

The co-operative moved the High Court, but its appeal was dismissed by Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia in May. It then moved an appeal against an order of the single judge.

Arguing before a division bench, counsel for the co-operative took the stand that the mill is neither a body owned, controlled or substantially financed by the government nor it is a non-government organisation substantially financed, directly or indirectly by funds provided by the appropriate government.

Regarding funding, Justice Ahluwalia had held the mill had not divulged any details about share-holding of the government or any other finances which may have been provided by the government. The bench also noticed that having itself appointed a public information officer, the mill admitted it was a public authority.

Holding that "this case is distinguishable for the reason that the mill is managed by a managing director who is a civil service officer, the Bench dismissed its appeal.

"The mill has divulged no information regarding the extent of financial help/investment/equity participation made by the government in the mill. It is evident that this information if furnished may have gone against the stand taken by the mill. In the circumstances, no fault can be found with the judgment of the single judge and consequently it is dismissed," the order reads

ashok_c...@yahoo.co.in

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Sep 11, 2010, 10:02:19 PM9/11/10
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There has been different opinions of different High Courts on this issue. A few High Courts have held co-operative societies fall within the ambit of RTI Act whereas many have taken other view. Gujrat High Court had taken this view quite some time back that co-operative Societies are covered by RTI Act. However, our Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi has taken a view that these do not come under RTI Act. In one of my client's case I argued citing Gujrat HC decision on this issue but he stuck to his ruling. This issue need to come before Delhi High Court for setting the issue straight.

Ashoki Chaitanya

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From: REJIMON C K <reji...@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2010 07:18:10 +0530
Subject: [DwarkaForum] Coopertive Socities are UNDER RTI Ambit Punjan and Haryana High Court
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REJIMON C K

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Sep 12, 2010, 2:56:42 AM9/12/10
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The Right to information provision of DCS ACT/Rule

under DCS Act

              (ref 139 DCS Act 2003 and 165 DCS Rule 2007.

will anyway help us to get info from Management with appeal with RCS unlike the RTI, which will help to some extent
Reji

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REJIMON C K.
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ashok_c...@yahoo.co.in

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Sep 12, 2010, 3:30:21 AM9/12/10
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Yes, but this provision is only for members or creditors having interest in the affairs of the society and not for general public. In my view the Societies do fall within the ambit of RTI Act, 2005.

Ashok Chaitanya

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From: REJIMON C K <reji...@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2010 12:26:42 +0530
Subject: Re: [DwarkaForum] Coopertive Socities are UNDER RTI Ambit Punjan andHaryana High Court
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