Mangalore taluk PIO directed to pay compensation

Times of India: Mangalore: Saturday, June 08, 2013.

Public information officer (PIO) of MangaloretalukShivappaLamani, who failed to provide information on time as per RTI Act, has been directed by the Karnataka Information Commission (KIC) to pay compensation.

Applicant Prakash Bhat had sought information pertaining to Mangalore taluk office about two years ago. However, the PIO failed to provide information on time and it was delivered to the applicant nine months after the stipulated time.

Following this, Bhat approached KIC seeking justice for denial of information under RTI Act. After the hearing, the commission directed Lamani to file a written reply as to why the compensation (Rs 2,000) should not be granted to the petitioner. After studying the reply of the officer the commission came to the conclusion that it is fit to grant compensation.

"The commission under it the power vested in it under Section 19(8)(B) of the RTI Act 2005 has asked Shivappa Lamani to pay a compensation of Rs 2,000 to the petitioner. This amount should be met from contingent fund of his office. After making compensation, the respondent should send compliance report along with photo copies of DD or cheque sent to the petitioner," MR Pujar, state information commissioner ordered adding that an action taken report also should be submitted during the next hearing.

Bhat told TOI that the PIO is yet to pay the compensation as directed by the commission. "I have not received the compensation yet. The commission will peruse the matter in the next hearing to be held on August 30," he added.