The Hindu: Chennai: Saturday, 02 May 2026.
Petitioner said the holding back of information led to her mother’s property being sold to a third party
The Tamil Nadu Information
Commission has imposed a maximum penalty of ₹25,000 on the Assistant Director,
Survey and Land Records, Tiruvallur district, after a woman complained of an
inordinate delay in providing information about her mother’s property.
The case pertains to the petition of Yashoda of Tiruvallur, who sought details of the town survey remarks, settlement file, approval noting among other details relating to a property owned by her mother in Periyakuppam on August 19, 2023. While the information called for should have been furnished within 30 days of the petition under the Right to Information Act, 2005, the woman said she got the response only on December 24, 2025.
After the petitioner moved an appeal before the Commission requesting action against the authorities concerned for the inordinate delay in providing information and suitable compensation under the Act, the State Information Commissioner R. Priyakumar summoned both parties for an inquiry.
During the hearing, the Public Information Officer/Survey Inspector informed the Commission that the post of PIO was lying vacant after the earlier official was transferred. Noting the supervisory officer should have ensured the charge (from the outgoing officer) was handed over to a substitute or a new PIO appointed in his place, Mr. Priyakumar ordered a compensation of ₹25,000 be given to the petitioner.
He directed the Director, Survey and Land Records, to recover a penalty amount from the then Assistant Director, Tiruvallur, for not taking timely action and keeping the post of PIO vacant for 5 months. The commission also called for an explanation why disciplinary action should not be taken against the Assistant Director for violating the provisions under the Act.
Petitioner said the holding back of information led to her mother’s property being sold to a third party
The case pertains to the petition of Yashoda of Tiruvallur, who sought details of the town survey remarks, settlement file, approval noting among other details relating to a property owned by her mother in Periyakuppam on August 19, 2023. While the information called for should have been furnished within 30 days of the petition under the Right to Information Act, 2005, the woman said she got the response only on December 24, 2025.
After the petitioner moved an appeal before the Commission requesting action against the authorities concerned for the inordinate delay in providing information and suitable compensation under the Act, the State Information Commissioner R. Priyakumar summoned both parties for an inquiry.
During the hearing, the Public Information Officer/Survey Inspector informed the Commission that the post of PIO was lying vacant after the earlier official was transferred. Noting the supervisory officer should have ensured the charge (from the outgoing officer) was handed over to a substitute or a new PIO appointed in his place, Mr. Priyakumar ordered a compensation of ₹25,000 be given to the petitioner.
He directed the Director, Survey and Land Records, to recover a penalty amount from the then Assistant Director, Tiruvallur, for not taking timely action and keeping the post of PIO vacant for 5 months. The commission also called for an explanation why disciplinary action should not be taken against the Assistant Director for violating the provisions under the Act.
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