DNA:
Bangalore: Monday, September 24, 2012.
The Karnataka Information Commission
has slapped a fine of Rs25,000 on the public information officer of Bangalore
Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) for failing to provide information to a
person under the Right to Information Act.
State information commissioner JS
Virupakshaiah directed BMRCL’s managing director (finance), UA Vasantha Rao also
its public information officer to pay the penalty for not providing information
to a RTI applicant. An order in this regard was passed on September 10.
Advocate and social activist T
Narasimha Murthy had filed an application under RTI Act on October 31, 2011,
before BMRCL. He had sought a copy of the letter the BMRCL had reportedly sent
to the state government, in which the board had mentioned that it would have to
halt work in front of Vidhana Soudha if the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar was not
shifted within 10 days.
The BMRCL did not tell him whether it had indeed shot off such a letter,
far less provide a copy of it. The applicant reported the matter to Karnataka
Information Commission, which served a show-cause notice to the BMRCL. The
organisation replied that it could not answer the query owing to work pressure.
The information commission concluded that that the BMRCL did not provide
information out of malice and imposed penalty. The BMRCL’s PIO has to deposit Rs25,000
in the government treasury. Or, he has the option of getting Rs5,000
deducted from his salary.
Meanwhile, the RTI applicant has approached the high court in this regard. He filed a caveat petition on Saturday. This means that if the BMRCL moves the court, challenging the fine, the court will consider the applicant’s version before passing any order.
Meanwhile, the RTI applicant has approached the high court in this regard. He filed a caveat petition on Saturday. This means that if the BMRCL moves the court, challenging the fine, the court will consider the applicant’s version before passing any order.
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