Commission pans JJ Hospital doctor for denying information to "ordinary citizens"

The State Information Commission (SIC), in a recent order, has criticised the head of the cardiac department with the JJ Hospital for stating that information not be given to an applicant because the government has its own audit to figure out discrepancies in its functioning. The SIC has asked the hospital to provide the requested information to the applicant.

The order of July 21 was given by Chief Information Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad, on an application of Andheri-based RP Yajurvedi Rao. The applicant had sought to know details of purchases of drugs and pharmaceuticals, among other details.

The public information officer (PIO) did not give any information to Rao. Rao filed his first appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at the hospital, which did not even hold a hearing for the case. Rao then filed a second appeal. During the hearing, it came to be known that Dr NO Bansal, professor and head of the cardiac department, had sent a letter to the information department of the JJ Hospital, saying that information should not be given.

The letter by Bansal, which was termed "irresponsible" by the SIC, read: "Purchase of various items is done by the office of the dean, JJ Hospital. I feel this is a confidential matter under the purview of the dean. No ordinary citizen has the authority to demand such inspection and access to the various departments of the hospital. To the best of my knowledge, the dean's office follows various government guidelines which are subject to the annual government audit. If there is any discrepancy, the auditor makes the report and submits it to the appropriate authority for necessary correction and action if any. I do not think that Mr RP Yajurvedi is within his rights to request for such inspection because he has no locus standi in the government of Maharashtra administration. There is no need to reply to such queries, as they are meaningless according to me. Please note that as of today, there is no clerk in the department to dig out such voluminous information even if the office of the dean insists on the same."

The SIC, in its order, said that the information sought was in the public interest and that Dr Bansal wrote the letter when he was not in any capacity to write the same. He had hence, created "impediments" in disbursing the information. The order went on to state that information up to 500 pages be given free of cost to the applicant by August 11. If some information is not available, that should be communicated to the applicant.

The SIC served show cause notice on all officials concerned, and asked why disciplinary action should not be taken against them.