The Hindu: Coimbatore: Wednesday,
30 October 2024.
RTI activists are raising
concerns about the Coimbatore Corporation’s lack of transparency in responding
to Right to Information (RTI) requests.
S.P. Thiyagarajan, an RTI activist, has been awaiting a response for three years regarding his RTI query on the appointment of several officials, alleging corrupt practices. “It’s frustrating to witness this lack of accountability,” he said.
He also highlighted his request for bills related to the ₹76 lakh spent by the civic body over 80 days to control the Vellalore dump yard fire, which began on April 6, 2024. The allocation of ₹27.52 lakh for tea and coffee for firefighters over just 12 days has raised allegations of fund misuse. “If the Corporation has the bills to justify these expenses, they should disclose them immediately,” Mr. Thiyagarajan said.
Another activist, N.R. Ravishankar, emphasised the need for awareness camps on the RTI Act for officials in Coimbatore, as many are unsure how to respond. He noted that under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act, the Central Information Commission (CIC) or State Information Commission (SIC) can impose penalties of ₹250 per day on Public Information Officers (PIOs) for failing to provide information, up to a maximum of ₹25,000, payable from the PIO’s salary. “This process is rarely enforced, which delays responses,” he added.
“After I complained to the Chief Information Commissioner, I finally received replies to all my RTI requests,” Mr. Ravishankar noted.
Activists are also calling for the creation of an online facility for filing RTIs to streamline the process and improve accessibility.
S.P. Thiyagarajan, an RTI activist, has been awaiting a response for three years regarding his RTI query on the appointment of several officials, alleging corrupt practices. “It’s frustrating to witness this lack of accountability,” he said.
He also highlighted his request for bills related to the ₹76 lakh spent by the civic body over 80 days to control the Vellalore dump yard fire, which began on April 6, 2024. The allocation of ₹27.52 lakh for tea and coffee for firefighters over just 12 days has raised allegations of fund misuse. “If the Corporation has the bills to justify these expenses, they should disclose them immediately,” Mr. Thiyagarajan said.
Another activist, N.R. Ravishankar, emphasised the need for awareness camps on the RTI Act for officials in Coimbatore, as many are unsure how to respond. He noted that under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act, the Central Information Commission (CIC) or State Information Commission (SIC) can impose penalties of ₹250 per day on Public Information Officers (PIOs) for failing to provide information, up to a maximum of ₹25,000, payable from the PIO’s salary. “This process is rarely enforced, which delays responses,” he added.
“After I complained to the Chief Information Commissioner, I finally received replies to all my RTI requests,” Mr. Ravishankar noted.
Activists are also calling for the creation of an online facility for filing RTIs to streamline the process and improve accessibility.
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