Times of India: Vinod Kumar: Chandigadh: Friday, January 24, 2025.
The Punjab State Information Commission criticised a public authority for being lax in handling RTI applications, declaring that such behaviour must be condemned and such employees taught a "good lesson". These stern observations were made by Punjab state information commissioner Bhupinder Batth while hearing an appeal filed by a Ludhiana resident. The appellant sought information from cooperative societies, Ludhiana, on Jan 19, 2023. 
A second appeal was filed with the commission on Apr 11, 2023, under Section 19 of the Right to Information Act, 2005. An official, an inspector, appeared on behalf of the respondent, but was unaware of the facts. This, the commission observed, reflected a blatant disregard for RTI Act by the respondent. The commission, clearly displeased, noted complete negligence and laxity by the public authority in dealing with an RTI application.
It emphasised such behaviour of a govt servant needed to be condemned and such employees needed to be taught a good lesson, so that others get the message to wake up and perform their duties under the RTI Act for ensuring complete transparency and due accountability in the affairs of public authorities.
However, before initiating any penal proceedings against the respondent PIO, the commission granted them a opportunity to appear on the next date of hearing with the requested information. The PIO was cautioned to exercise due care in future to ensure accurate and complete information was provided promptly to RTI applicants, as required under the provisions of the RTI Act. Failure to comply will result in penal proceedings under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act. The case will be next heard on July 1.
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