Huda official fined Rs 10,000 for delay in RTI reply

Times of India‎: Gurgaon: Thursday, May 19, 2016.

Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of Haryana has imposed penalty of Rs 10,000 over estate officer-II of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) for delay in providing information under RTI Act. The penalty amount will be deducted from salary of EO-II in two instalments.

This is second time in this month when EO-II of Huda has been penalized by CIC for delay in providing information under RTI. Earlier on May 6 CIC has imposed penalty of Rs 20,000 over EO-II Tarun Pawaria for delay in providing information related to multiple plot scam, he was penalised again for delay in providing information related to schools.

Harinder Dhingra had filed an RTI in September 2015 seeking information related to reservation provided to economically weaker section (EWS) and below poverty line (BPL) students in the schools for which land were provided by HUDA. But information was not provided till date.

"Huda gives lands in its sectors for private schools and as per the provision of the agreement the school which gets land from Huda has to reserve 10% of seats for BPL students and another 10% seats for EWS students. So around 20% of the seats in these schools should be reserved for students, who cannot afford to pay high fee," said Dhingra.

He said under the RTI act the information should have been provided in 30 days but it was not provided even several notices and show cause notice issued by CIC on March 28, 2016.

CIC order observed that commission had advised the respondent EO-II to transfer the show cause notice to such person who had delayed the information but he did not do so. "It shows that he is responsible for the delay. As such the Commission observes that it is a fit case to impose penalty as provided under Section 20 (1) of the Act. However, by noting that the respondent was dependent on the private school for providing information so instead of imposing maximum penalty, it is imposed to the tune of Rs. 10,000 upon the EO-II, HUDA, Gurgaon," said order adding that penalty amount should be recovered from the salary of EO-II.

EO-II has submitted before CIC that a notice is being issued to the principal of the schools for not providing the reservation to the students of economically weaker section of the society as mentioned in the terms and conditions of the land allotment.

"A notice is being served and if things do not improve then only alternative available is to move a petition before Punjab & Haryana High Court," said Dhingra.