Officials slammed for not providing details under RTI Act

The Hindu‎‎: Kalaburagi: Thursday, April 07, 2016.

The Karnataka Information Commission (KIC) has taken exception to the denial of information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act on the encroachment of government land to the extent of four acres in the heart of Jewargi town and the failure on the part of Assistant Commissioner Iliyaz Ahmed and Tahsilar Yellappa Subedar to use the provisions of the Karnataka Public Lands Act to protect the property.

State Information Commissioner Shankar Patil, in an order passed on an application filed by RTI activist Shaikh Shafi Ahmed, said it was shocking to know that such important information about encroachment of government land in Jewargi town was not shared by the Tahsildar, who is also the Public Information Officer (PIO). Mr. Patil observed that, “The Tahsildar has concealed information (about encroachment).”

“This is shocking that the PIO, the First Appellate Authority and Assistant Commissioner Iliyaz Ahmed had not taken the provisions of the Karnataka Public Lands Act to protect the said land … also, no action has been taken so far,” Mr. Patil added.

The Commissioner directed Deputy Commissioner Vipul Bansal to personally inspect the said land in the Old Taluk Office and remove the encroachments, if any.

“The commission expects a report from the Deputy Commissioner after the spot inspection and action taken within a month from the receipt of the order,” he added.

Mr. Patil further issued a notice to Tahsildar Yellappa Subedar asking why action should not be initiated against him under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act to levy a penalty of Rs. 250 per day to a maximum of Rs. 25,000 for the delay in providing the required information to the appellant.

The Commissioner also directed the Tahsildar to submit his explanation within 15 days and adjourned the case to April 29.

The appellant had sought information on government land encroachment in Jewargi town.