Why compensation of Rs 5 lakh, ask activists

DNA: New Delhi: Sunday, 16 November 2014.

There are apprehensions over the Rs 5 lakh compensation awarded to an RTI applicant in Ambernath. Activist feel that there should have been a little more justification in passing such an order, and it should have been explained why such a huge amount had been awarded as compensation.

dna had reported in its November 13 issue that an applicant had been awarded a compensation of Rs 5 lakh because he had been harassed for providing information.

"The high court had sometime earlier ordered the central information commission (CIC) to clarify why and under which section it had granted a person a compensation of Rs 50,000. If one takes cognizance of that court order, this order is wrong because no reason has been given for awarding such a huge amount as compensation," said Vijay Kumbhar, an RTI activist.

"If compensation of a few thousands is given, one can understand. But this figure is huge and the order does give any details why such a huge amount had been awarded. The Act as such assumes that compensation is provided for the loss or damage s/he suffered on account of not having got the information sought. If it's merely for not getting information, every person who does not get information should be given compensation in lakhs," said Shailesh Gandhi, former CIC.