News Now: Srinagar: Wednesday, 12 June 2024.
The Central Information
Commission (CIC) has expressed displeasure over the conduct of the Public
Information Officer (PIO) from the School Education Department of the Union
Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
The case pertains to an RTI application filed by Anil Kumar Raina, who sought information regarding his case bearing e-file no. 156272.
The appellant, dissatisfied with the non-receipt of information, had filed a First Appeal on March 3, 2023, which went unaddressed. Consequently, Raina approached the CIC with a Second Appeal on May 23, 2023. Despite being given prior notice, no representative from the respondent's side attended the hearing scheduled on June 7, 2024, although the appellant was present via video conference.
Chief Information Commissioner Heeralal Samariya noted that the respondents had not provided any response to the appellant, thereby obstructing the dissemination of information and violating the RTI Act. The absence of the respondents during the hearing further vitiated the proceedings.
In his decision, CIC Samariya directed the PIO/Under Secretary of the School Education Department, UT of J&K, to submit an explanation for the willful violation of the RTI Act within four weeks. Failure to do so would lead to appropriate legal action.
Additionally, the respondent must send an appropriate reply to the appellant within the same period and submit a compliance report to the Commission within one week thereafter. Non-compliance with these directions will attract penal action as per law.
The case pertains to an RTI application filed by Anil Kumar Raina, who sought information regarding his case bearing e-file no. 156272.
The appellant, dissatisfied with the non-receipt of information, had filed a First Appeal on March 3, 2023, which went unaddressed. Consequently, Raina approached the CIC with a Second Appeal on May 23, 2023. Despite being given prior notice, no representative from the respondent's side attended the hearing scheduled on June 7, 2024, although the appellant was present via video conference.
Chief Information Commissioner Heeralal Samariya noted that the respondents had not provided any response to the appellant, thereby obstructing the dissemination of information and violating the RTI Act. The absence of the respondents during the hearing further vitiated the proceedings.
In his decision, CIC Samariya directed the PIO/Under Secretary of the School Education Department, UT of J&K, to submit an explanation for the willful violation of the RTI Act within four weeks. Failure to do so would lead to appropriate legal action.
Additionally, the respondent must send an appropriate reply to the appellant within the same period and submit a compliance report to the Commission within one week thereafter. Non-compliance with these directions will attract penal action as per law.
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