NMC official gets notice for RTI Act violation

Times of India: Nagpur: Wednesday, 06 May 2015.

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has issued a notice to deputy engineer of Pench Project Cell Mohammed Israil for violation of Right to Information (RTI) Act. Notice was issued following TOI report and the State Information Commission orders.

Assistant commissioner of NMC general administration department Mahesh Dhamecha issued a notice to Israil asking him to explain his violating the RTI Act norms. "It is mandatory to provide information free of cost to the applicant in case 30 days' time period has passed since application. The applicant was given a letter asking to submit charges for information after passing of 30 days. Provide information to the applicant free of cost as it is not proper to ask for charges, according to the RTI Act. Submit an explanation why information was not provided within 30 days and why charges were demanded for information after 30 days," the notice said.

Naidu had submitted application under the RTI Act on January 6. Following delay in giving information, Naidu had lodged an appeal with the State Information Commission. In its order dated April 10, the Information Commissioner had directed the civic chief to provide information to Naidu free of cost.

Naidu told TOI, information was not provided despite the Commission's orders. "I informed of the issue to municipal commissioner Shravan Hardikar. TOI highlighted the order and delay in following the directives. Now, the official has provided the information but that is unsatisfactory. The official is blatantly violating the RTI Act . I will be filing a contempt plea against him," he said.

Naidu said chance of irregularities in Sonegaon lake rejuvenation project could not be ruled out. "I asked information about various aspects of the project. For example, the lake is still owned by three private persons. NMC had spent funds from state government and also from its own kitty on rejuvenation of the lake. I asked for provisions in any Act to execute work using government and NMC funds on a private property. Israil provided me a copy of notification issued by the government sanctioning funds for executing the project. Such tactics are used to misguide and harass RTI applicants. We are forced to go for appeal after appeal for getting information. I welcome the civic chief's decision to seek explanation from the official," he said.