HYDERABAD: OM Debara, an RTI activist, had filed an RTI application on December 14 last year, requesting information from the Office of the Additional Commissioner of Police regarding 1) which all government officials were permitted to use red/blue beacons on top of their vehicles,
2) whether the beacon could be used even when the official was not in vehicle,
3) whether such vehicles were provided with a hooter, and lastly,
4) which group of citizens are exempted from using tinted windows.
But according to him, despite the police having in possession a guidebook containing such information, the replies given by the Public Information Officer (PIO) on January 3 are not too convincing.Pertaining to the first and second queries on red/blue beacons, the PIO referred the applicant to enquire with the general administration department (GAD) of the Secretariat.
And even though the third query has been answered, the final query on tinted glasses has been asked to be referred to the AP Road Transport Authority, with the PIO citing the RTA as having a better grip on the Motor Vehicles Act.
When contacted, PIO, GVG Ashok Kumar, DCP (Traffic I), told City Express that there is a government order with the GAD which empowers them to address such queries, despite the information being available to him as well.
“Also the GO is under revision and so it seemed apt to ask the complainant to refer the complaint to the other department.”But not too pleased with the attitude of the PIO, Debara has now decided to approach Additional Commissioner (Traffic), CV Anand, who is the appellate authority on the same.
“This is information that every police officer in the city should be aware of. How can the PIO forward me such careless replies?” he lamented.