Public Authorities must ensure that abandoned digital portals for RTI filings are deactivated to prevent non-receipt of applications and must proactively transfer pending requests from such portals to active systems to ensure compliance with the RTI Act.

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 24.09.2024 (online) seeking the following information: “Please refer to my representation dated 23-7-2024 regarding delay in issue of Pensioners CGHS Card addressed to Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, sent by email as well as by post. Copy of the representation is enclosed. CIC/CGHSD/A/2025/112334”

2. An email reminder on the same has also been sent on 19.9.2024 alongwith a copy to Additional Director, CGHS Headquarter.

3. Since the issue of CGHS Card is still awaited I seek information as under on the status of action on my said representation: a. What action has been taken on my representation till date. b. Reasons for delay in conclusive action on my said representation. c. Reasons for delay in issue of the Pensioners CGHS Cards. d. Are there any grounds/Rules based on which I am ineligible for issue of Pensioners CGHS Card. If so, the details of such grounds and rules. e. Or if eligible, the reasons for delay in issue of the Pensioners CGHS Cards. f. Please provide copy of the notings pertaining to action being taken on my representation referred to above. g. Please provide copies of the correspondence taken place, if any, among Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, CGHS Headquarters Directorate, Addl. Director, CGHS, Chandigarh etc. in the matter.”

4. The CPIO reply is not on record.

5. Being dissatisfied, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 05.11.2024. The FAA order is not available on record.

6. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied, Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.

7. Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing: The following were present:- Appellant: Absent. Respondent: Dr. Srinivas Murthy, NO (RTI), CGHS (HQ) attended the hearing in person.

8. The Appellant did not participate in the hearing. The son of the appellant was present and stated that the appellant passed away in January, 2026.

9. The Respondent submitted that their office has neither received the instant RTI Application nor received the First Appeal at the initial stage on the online CGHS portal of Delhi. He apprised the Bench of the fact that the Public Authority i.e. Central Government Health Scheme was inadvertently opened by the DOPT and their office have sent many requests to the close the abandoned portal. The respondent further submitted that the appellant is an autonomous beneficiary of CGHS card but since he is no more, therefore, his wife can apply for CGHS card.

10. CIC/CGHSD/A/2025/112334 Page 3 of 5 The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case and perusal of the records, observes that the answering respondent has neither received the instant RTI Application nor received the First Appeal at the initial stage on the online CGHS portal of Delhi since the Appellant filed RTI Application before Central Government Health Scheme. It is pertinent to mention that the Public Authority i.e. Central Government Health Scheme was inadvertently opened by the DOPT and is left abandoned.

11. The Commission further observes that there is a parallel RTI portal for the Respondent Public Authority, which has been abandoned, but few applicants are still filing RTI applications on that portal. Therefore, an Advisory under Section 25 (5) of the RTI Act is issued to the Respondent Public Authority to look into the matter and initiate the process for removal of the same after consulting DOPT. The Respondent Public Authority is further advised to initiate the process of transferring the balance RTI Applicati