Delay in passing order on RTI application

GreaterKashmir.com: Srinagar: Saturday, July 28, 2012.

The State Information Commission on Saturday imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 on Chief Education Officer, Reasi for delaying the passing the order on RTI application. 

“The Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) in the office of Chief Education Officer, Reasi will ensure deduction of Rs. 25,000/- from the salary of Kuldeep Kumar Gupta the then PIO/Chief Education Officer, Kathua at present CEO, Reasi in 3 equal installments as provided in Rule 36 (3) of J&K State RTI Rules, 2010 and remit it to the Government account with an intimation to this Commission,” the order reads.

“In case of any default committed by the DDO in this regard, he (DDO) will be personally liable for making the payment towards the Government account.  This order has to be complied within fifteen days from the date of receipt of the order,” it further reads.

Kuldeep Kumar Gupta had filed an application under RTI Act  before CEO/PIO Kathua on 24-08-2011 seeking information about the “violation “ of High Court orders restraining government teachers from undertaking training  in Kathua district.

“As stated above, the information should have been provided to the information seeker on or before 23-09-2011.  The delay caused in providing the information by respondent from 23-09-2011 to 24-03-2012 comes out to be 183 days.  As such he is liable to be penalized U/s 17 of J&K RTI Act, 2009,” the order reads.