Times of India: Chandigarh: Thursday, 22 October 2026.
Punjab State Information Commission has imposed a penalty of Rs 20,000 and ordered Rs 10,000 in compensation over a two-year delay in providing information under the RTI Act and continued absence of the public information officer (PIO) despite a bailable warrant.
The action was taken by a bench of Punjab State Information Commissioner Pooja
Gupta on an appeal filed by a Ludhiana resident.
The commission noted that block development and panchayat officer (BDPO), Mullanpur Dakha, Ludhiana district, had authorised another official to appear on his behalf despite facing a bailable warrant. That official also failed to bring any reply or information.
The commission observed that the respondent PIO had not attended a single of the six hearings, reflecting a casual approach towards its orders and a failure to perform duties mandated under the RTI regime. It said strict action was necessary to send a clear message to other employees to perform their duties under the RTI Act.
The commission noted that the appellant had made repeated efforts to obtain the information but was made to run from pillar to post without success, even after the commission issued notices in the second appeal.
The commission held that the case warranted compensation under Section 19(8)(b) of the RTI Act. It also observed that the inadequate handling of RTI requests in the office of the BDPO, Mullanpur Dakha, was attributable to absence of adequate machinery for dealing with RTI work.
It ordered that compensation of Rs 10,000 be paid to the appellant from the funds of the office of the BDPO, Mullanpur Dakha, through a demand draft within one month. Invoking Section 20(1) of the RTI Act, the commission held the PIO who was incumbent when the RTI application was filed on March 26, 2024, as well as the present PIO, guilty of failing to provide information within the prescribed 30-day period under Section 7 and of repeated and wilful defiance of the commission’s orders.
A penalty of Rs 10,000 was imposed on the PIO who was incumbent at the time of filing the RTI application, and another penalty of Rs 10,000 was imposed on the present PIO, who had failed to appear before the commission.
The commission directed that the penalty amounts be deducted from their salaries and deposited in the Punjab govt treasury. The PIOs concerned were also directed to inform the commission of compliance by producing a copy of the challan at the next hearing on Jan 15, 2027.
Punjab State Information Commission has imposed a penalty of Rs 20,000 and ordered Rs 10,000 in compensation over a two-year delay in providing information under the RTI Act and continued absence of the public information officer (PIO) despite a bailable warrant.
The commission noted that block development and panchayat officer (BDPO), Mullanpur Dakha, Ludhiana district, had authorised another official to appear on his behalf despite facing a bailable warrant. That official also failed to bring any reply or information.
The commission observed that the respondent PIO had not attended a single of the six hearings, reflecting a casual approach towards its orders and a failure to perform duties mandated under the RTI regime. It said strict action was necessary to send a clear message to other employees to perform their duties under the RTI Act.
The commission noted that the appellant had made repeated efforts to obtain the information but was made to run from pillar to post without success, even after the commission issued notices in the second appeal.
The commission held that the case warranted compensation under Section 19(8)(b) of the RTI Act. It also observed that the inadequate handling of RTI requests in the office of the BDPO, Mullanpur Dakha, was attributable to absence of adequate machinery for dealing with RTI work.
It ordered that compensation of Rs 10,000 be paid to the appellant from the funds of the office of the BDPO, Mullanpur Dakha, through a demand draft within one month. Invoking Section 20(1) of the RTI Act, the commission held the PIO who was incumbent when the RTI application was filed on March 26, 2024, as well as the present PIO, guilty of failing to provide information within the prescribed 30-day period under Section 7 and of repeated and wilful defiance of the commission’s orders.
A penalty of Rs 10,000 was imposed on the PIO who was incumbent at the time of filing the RTI application, and another penalty of Rs 10,000 was imposed on the present PIO, who had failed to appear before the commission.
The commission directed that the penalty amounts be deducted from their salaries and deposited in the Punjab govt treasury. The PIOs concerned were also directed to inform the commission of compliance by producing a copy of the challan at the next hearing on Jan 15, 2027.
.JPG)
.JPG)
