Information regarding the Gazette notification issued to put signatures in green ink for officers of PSUs was sought - Respondent: No specific rule was laid down regarding the use of different colour of ink by UIICL officials - CIC disposed of the appeal 5 Feb, 2016 

ORDER

 1. The appellant submitted RTI application dated January 10, 2014 before the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), United India Insurance Co. Ltd., Madurai; seeking information regarding the Gazette notification issued to put signatures in green ink for officers of Public Sector Organisations /Undertakings (PSUs) of Govt. of India etc.; through a total of 4 points. 

2. Vide letter dated February 7, 2014; the CPIO provided a point wise reply to the appellant. Not satisfied with the CPIO’s reply, the appellant preferred an appeal dated February 22, 2014 to the first appellate authority (FAA). Vide order dated February 26, 2014; the FAA upheld the CPIO’s decision. 

3. Dissatisfied with the response of the public authority, the appellant preferred second appeal before the Commission. 

4. The matter was heard by the Commission. The appellant submitted that he sought information regarding the rules/order permitting the officers of the PSUs to use green ink for putting signatures but he was not provided any satisfactory information by the respondents. He alleged that when the CPIO in particular was not empowered to put is signature in green ink then how could he continue to sign the letters with green ink. 

5. The respondents submitted that no specific rules were laid down regarding the use of different colour of ink by the officials of the UIICL and there was no bar on using the same for signing. No Official Gazette Notification was available in that regard. 

6. In view of the above, the Commission observes that the RTI application has been appropriately responded. The Commission upholds the decision of the respondents. The appeal is disposed of.   

(Manjula Prasher)

 Information Commissioner