GLADA charged with non-compliance of provisions of RTI Act

The Tribune: Ludhiana: Saturday, March 10, 2018.

The Council of RTI Activists has filed a complaint with the Punjab Governor against the Additional Chief Administrator (ACA) and the First Appellant Authority of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) for the non-disposal of first appeals under the Right to Information Act within the period stipulated in the Act, thereby violating the statutory requirement.

In his complaint, council president Rohit Sabharwal said there have been several instances in the past, when the ACA-cum-FAA of GLADA has been violating the mandatory provision under Section 19 (6) of the RTI Act, 2005, by not disposing of the first appeal cases within the statutory period of 30 days, or extended period not exceeding a period of 45 days from the receipt of the appeal.

The complaint said: “Thus, by working contrary towards his statutory duties, the ACA-cum FAA, GLADA, is violating the statutory provision of Section - 19 (6) of the RTI Act and thus making mockery of the Act by working against the law passed by the Parliament. Hence, being a public servant, his good self is barred do such acts.”

Sabharwal said it was the duty of the first appellate authority to deal with the RTI appeal cases seriously as the FAA is a quasi-judicial body and this kind of irresponsible attitude was not expected from it. “Being a first appellate authority, it is his duty to set an example, so that RTI Act can be implemented positively and all objectives for which the Act was brought in force could be achieved. However, the conduct of GLADA FAA clearly indicate that the authority is not at all interested in showing positive response towards the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005,” he said.

The complainant made a fervent appeal for disciplinary action to be initiated against GLADA ACA-cum-FAA for not following his ‘statutory duty’ sincerely and violating the provisions of the RTI Act and further demanded that the said FAA, GLADA, be directed to dispose of all first appeals pending with his office within the statutory time period.