The
Hindu: Chennai: Saturday, October 05, 2019.
Move
follows petition demanding action for misuse of relief funds
The
Tamil Nadu Information Commission has directed State authorities to share
details of action taken against officials in the Chennai Corporation, Revenue
and Disaster Management Departments, in connection with the alleged misuse of
funds meant for flood prevention/relief operations in 2015.
The
case arises out of a petition filed by a resident of Ullagaram, who lodged a
complaint with the Tahsildar, Sholinganallur, demanding action against
officials who misused funds meant for preventing floods and relief operations
after the natural calamity.
He
preferred the complaint months after the devastating floods caused huge loss to
life and property, particularly in the southern parts of Chennai, four years
ago.
‘No
action’
With
no perceptible action taken on his complaint, the petitioner, S. Kumar, wrote
to the Public Information Officer/Tahsildar, Sholinganallur, seeking to know,
under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the action taken
against officials based on his petition.
Not
convinced with the response of the PIO and the first appellate authority, the
petitioner moved the Tamil Nadu Information Commission to direct the
authorities to provide the information that he sought for. The contention of
the PIO was that the details wanted by Mr. Kumar was obtained from the Chennai
Corporation and sent already.
State
Information Commissioner S. Selvaraj who heard both sides noted that the public
authorities had not provided the information sought by the petitioner in full
and on time.
He
directed the PIOs in the Revenue Administration and Disaster Management
Department to provide free of cost the details of action taken against
officials concerned based on the complaint lodged by the petitioner and report
compliance of the order.
Mr.
Selvaraj also sought an explanation from the PIO/Tahsildar as to why
disciplinary action should not recommended against him and a maximum penalty of
₹25,000 be imposed under the provisions of Section 20(2) of the Act.