Dept of Posts refuses RTI plea as it ‘doesn’t accept pvt courier’

Times of India: Nagpur: Thursday, 06 August 2015.

Can a government department make rules contrary to laws? This question has come up over strange rule put in place by Department of Posts: That it would not accept letters sent through private courier. Citing this rule, the department has refused to answer a RTI query.

City-based RTI activist Avinash Prabhune on March 14 had sought from the Chief Post Master General (CPMG), Maharashtra Circle, a copy of agreement between postal department & transport commissioner on distributing driving licences/registration certificates through post. Prabhune had sent the letter through a private courier but postal authorities refused to accept it stating it should be sent by 'Speed Post/India Post services'.

When an explanation from CPMG was sought, assistant director (business development) passed the buck to assistant director (official language) but did not supply any information nor communicated any rule that private courier is not accepted. The RTI Act has no provision barring use of private couriers to seek information.

Prabhune filed first appeal under RTI on May 10, as RTI information was not provided. It was once again refused by postal authorities stating same reason. CMPG office informed on May 26 about a circular issued on July 9, 2007, stating that a policy decision had been taken not to accept mails from courier in the circle office.

"It is surprising. Had the postal authorities informed me in March itself, I would not have appealed in May. It is matter of investigation whether such policy decision was conveyed to common public or otherwise. I do not see any logic for not accepting couriered letters at circle office, Mumbai, especially when the postal department is not averse to selling mutual funds of private companies," said Prabhune.

The RTI activist filed another application demanding authority and basis of policy decision for releasing such circular of not accepting private courier but the postal department informed that no documents are available with postal authorities except that circular.

Sayeed Rashid, director of postal services (HQ) had issued direction to PIO to take up matter with higher authority to find out policy, if any, in support of decision taken at circle office level.