Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Information commissioner cracks whip on civic officials for RTI denial

Times of India: Nagpur: Tuesday, January 14, 2014.
State information commissioner D B Deshpande of Nagpur bench has given Nagpur Municipal Commissioner three months time to provide the documents sought by a citizen in an appeal filed under Right to Information Act. The civic chief has also been asked to initiate departmental proceedings against officials concerned who failed to provide the copy of approved map of a house within the stipulated time to the applicant.
Vijay Admane had filed the second appeal before the commission regarding denial of copy of approved house plan and other details of the house built by applicant's father Narayan Wadkuji Admane. The information commissioner fixed the onus on the municipal commissioner to provide the information sought. The order also recommended setting up of a team of two officers of deputy commissioner rank to search the missing file. The action is to be completed within 60 days of passing the order, failing which action has to be taken against those held responsible for the missing file.
In another appeal, information commissioner Deshpande served show cause notice to Gondia talathi who denied information sought by applicant Santosh Govinda Mendhe who had also paid the requisite fee. Upholding the appeal, Deshpande asked that the fee amount be refunded and fixed responsibility on tehsildar of Goregaon to provide the information within 30 days. During this period, the talathi has been asked to file reply to the show-cause notice as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
In yet another case, Deshpande has ruled that non-availability of land records and modification therein was a serious lapse. The commissioner has sought a probe into the matter and strict action against personnel involved. Appellant Ramkrishna Jajodiya of Wardha had included names of three of his relatives in land ownership award. While property record card has mentioned the change, the land record office failed to provide the details of the modifications. The commissioner has given 60 days to the land records office concerned in Pune to complete the action.
The information commissioner has in an appeal filed by Saoner resident Bhanudas Dhoke ordered probe by subdivisional officer of Saoner against public information officer, a senior clerk, who failed to provide information though it was available. Dhoke's query was about the survey number of a land parcel in Mouza Gujarkhedi. A departmental inquiry is to be completed in the matter within 60 days from date of the order.