The Times of India: Chandigarh: Wednesday, 8th April
2026.
Punjab State Information Commission (PSIC) has imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 on former block development and panchayat officer (BDPO) of Nabha in Patiala district for non-compliance in a Right to Information (RTI) case in Chandigarh.
The commission passed the
order in connection with a complaint filed by Gurpreet Singh under the RTI Act,
citing a prolonged pattern of what it called "deliberate and
disrespectful" conduct by the officer.
According to the commission, the public information officer-cum-BDPO repeatedly failed to appear or respond to summons and notices on Feb 11, 2025, and on May 13. After the commission issued a formal show-cause notice, representatives appeared on July 29 but were "not aware of the facts" and did not submit a reply. At a recent hearing on March 12 this year, the commission recorded that again no one appeared and no reply to the notice was filed.
Expressing concern over what it termed a "defying attitude", the commission concluded that the PIO had "no respect for the orders of the commission".
The commission directed the drawing and disbursing officer in Patiala to deduct the Rs 25,000 penalty from the salary of former BDPO Nabha and deposit the amount into the state treasury under the specified RTI Act fee head.
It also recommended that the director of rural development and panchayats, Punjab, take necessary administrative action against the officer, and ordered both the former PIO-cum-BDPO, now transferred to SAS Nagar, and the current PIO to be personally present at the next hearing.
While the former PIO-cum-BDPO refused to comment, current in-charge Jatinder Singh said, "We will look into the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action against the other officials too, if found guilty, for not giving information."
Punjab State Information Commission (PSIC) has imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 on former block development and panchayat officer (BDPO) of Nabha in Patiala district for non-compliance in a Right to Information (RTI) case in Chandigarh.
According to the commission, the public information officer-cum-BDPO repeatedly failed to appear or respond to summons and notices on Feb 11, 2025, and on May 13. After the commission issued a formal show-cause notice, representatives appeared on July 29 but were "not aware of the facts" and did not submit a reply. At a recent hearing on March 12 this year, the commission recorded that again no one appeared and no reply to the notice was filed.
Expressing concern over what it termed a "defying attitude", the commission concluded that the PIO had "no respect for the orders of the commission".
The commission directed the drawing and disbursing officer in Patiala to deduct the Rs 25,000 penalty from the salary of former BDPO Nabha and deposit the amount into the state treasury under the specified RTI Act fee head.
It also recommended that the director of rural development and panchayats, Punjab, take necessary administrative action against the officer, and ordered both the former PIO-cum-BDPO, now transferred to SAS Nagar, and the current PIO to be personally present at the next hearing.
While the former PIO-cum-BDPO refused to comment, current in-charge Jatinder Singh said, "We will look into the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action against the other officials too, if found guilty, for not giving information."
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