Times of India: Nagpur: Thursday, September 1, 2016.
The State Information Commission levied a fine of Rs10,000 on theTaywade Arts, Commerce and Science College for its failure to provide information, sought under Right to Information Act, 2005, within stipulated period. SIC commissioner Vasant Patil directed the public information officer (superintendent) of the Koradi-based college to deposit the amount with the exchequer and told first appellate officer (principal) to ensure its orders were duly complied with.
Appellant Anand Bhaik had sought information under RTI Act on October 24, 2013, regarding timetable of all departments of Taywade college for 2013-14 academic session. However, the superintendent, who was public information officer, refused to provide it within the stipulated period of 30 days. He thereafter applied to the principal, who was first appellate officer, but he too failed to pay attention to it. Subsequently, Bhaik lodged a complaint with SIC's Nagpur Bench, contending that the college authorities had violated provisions of RTI Act. SIC issued notices to the superintendent and principal on April 11 and asked them to be personally present during next hearing.
They contended during hearing that the required information regarding timetable was not available with them as they hadn't stored its copies. SIC then asked the respondents to provide information to Bhaik, sought under the RTI, within eight days in an interim order.
However, when the respondents failed to provide the said information for a long time, Bhaik reapproached SIC on July 4 last year demanding stringent punishment to them. The judge, while holding superintendent and principal guilty of flouting rules, asked them to pay Rs10,000 fine. He also asked the public information officer to file a compliance report with SIC, as it would be included in the audit report.
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