Proceedings of the State Information Commissioner on negligence in giving information
Raipur, 4 August 2023
The Chhattisgarh State Information Commission has imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 each on three secretaries of gram panchayats for negligence in providing timely information to the applicants and for not properly implementing the Right to Information Act.
State Information Commissioner Mr. Manoj Trivedi, Mr. Dayanand Bhardwaj, Secretary, Dundabedma Gram Panchayat, Keshkal Janpad Panchayat, Kondagaon District, Mr. Silsarjan Khairwar, Secretary, Gram Panchayat Karma, Janpad Panchayat Baloda, Korba District and Korba Village Panchayat under Korba district This fine has been imposed on the Secretary of Panchayat Rajgamar and the then Public Information Officer. The State Information Commissioner has directed the District Panchayat Chief Executive Officers of the concerned districts to collect the amount of the fine and deposit it in the government account and send the compliance report to the Commission.
A photocopy of the cash book was asked for. But there was delay in providing the information by the Public Information Officer and no reply was given to the notice of the Commission. In another case, a copy of the Annual Accounts Report was sought by the applicant in Gram Panchayat Karma. But the Public Information Officer was negligent in the implementation of the Right to Information Act. Similarly, in Gram Panchayat Rajgamar, a copy of the annual accounts report approved by the applicant was sought. But the information was not given by the Public Information Officer within the time limit of 30 days and no formal order was passed by the First Appellate Officer also. Therefore, the State Information Commissioner has imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 each on the then Public Information Officers and Secretaries of the Gram Panchayat.
