Herald Goa: Margao: Thursday, 13 February 2025.
The Goa State Information
Commission has pulled up the public information officer (PIO) of the
Directorate of Panchayats for failing to provide crucial government records
under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The Commission has directed the PIO to locate and furnish a 1965 circular that outlines guidelines for conducting panchayat body meetings. The order came in response to a petition filed by Sharlet Fernandes of the Village Panchayat of Majorda-Calata-Utorda, who sought access to the document but was informed that it was not available in department records.
Initially, the PIO of the Majorda-Calata-Utorda Village Panchayat also failed to provide the requested information, prompting the Commission to reprimand the Panchayat Secretary. The Commission noted that the PIO at the Directorate of Panchayats had responded to the RTI application in just three days, dismissing the request without making an effort to trace the information or consult other public authorities.
Expressing concern over this trend, the Commission observed that PIOs often cite non-availability of records without conducting proper searches. It stressed that if information is not readily accessible, the PIO is duty-bound to locate and provide it. Fernandes had submitted a circular dated October 10, 2023, referencing a memorandum from May 14, 1965—strong evidence that the information exists in government records.
The Commission criticized the PIO’s conduct as a clear denial of information, undermining the spirit of the RTI Act, 2005. It has ordered an inquiry into the matter, directing officials to trace the memorandum and submit a report by March 17. The Commission has also issued a show-cause notice to the PIO, demanding an explanation as to why penalty or disciplinary action should not be taken under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act.
Reacting to the order, Fernandes expressed frustration over the repeated denial of access to crucial files. “The Panchayat has blatantly refused me access to documents that should be presented during meetings, which is a gross injustice and a violation of my democratic rights,” she said. She also pointed out the significance of the 1965 circular and the authorities’ failure to locate it. “The department has misplaced a key memorandum that lays out the conduct of meetings and has made no effort to trace it,” she added.
The Commission has directed the PIO to locate and furnish a 1965 circular that outlines guidelines for conducting panchayat body meetings. The order came in response to a petition filed by Sharlet Fernandes of the Village Panchayat of Majorda-Calata-Utorda, who sought access to the document but was informed that it was not available in department records.
Initially, the PIO of the Majorda-Calata-Utorda Village Panchayat also failed to provide the requested information, prompting the Commission to reprimand the Panchayat Secretary. The Commission noted that the PIO at the Directorate of Panchayats had responded to the RTI application in just three days, dismissing the request without making an effort to trace the information or consult other public authorities.
Expressing concern over this trend, the Commission observed that PIOs often cite non-availability of records without conducting proper searches. It stressed that if information is not readily accessible, the PIO is duty-bound to locate and provide it. Fernandes had submitted a circular dated October 10, 2023, referencing a memorandum from May 14, 1965—strong evidence that the information exists in government records.
The Commission criticized the PIO’s conduct as a clear denial of information, undermining the spirit of the RTI Act, 2005. It has ordered an inquiry into the matter, directing officials to trace the memorandum and submit a report by March 17. The Commission has also issued a show-cause notice to the PIO, demanding an explanation as to why penalty or disciplinary action should not be taken under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act.
Reacting to the order, Fernandes expressed frustration over the repeated denial of access to crucial files. “The Panchayat has blatantly refused me access to documents that should be presented during meetings, which is a gross injustice and a violation of my democratic rights,” she said. She also pointed out the significance of the 1965 circular and the authorities’ failure to locate it. “The department has misplaced a key memorandum that lays out the conduct of meetings and has made no effort to trace it,” she added.
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