Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 28: The State Information Commission (SIC) has issued penalty notice against the Executive Officer of Municipal Council (MC) Kathua as the officer failed to provide information under RTI Act regarding various developmental works executed in the Kathua town by the local municipality. Details available with Early Times reveal that a 2nd appeal under RTI Act, 2009 was filed by one B R Nandan a resident of Kathua town before State Information Commission (SIC) Jammu office on 09.02.2016 against PIO, Executive Officer (EO) , Municipal Council , Kathua, stating that he submitted application through registered post on 26.10.2015, but no response was received. The information seeker filed first appeal on 30.11.2015 through registered post before Director Local Bodies Jammu . That First Appellate Authority (FAA) after hearing the case on 21.12.2015, passed order directing PIO/EO,M.C., Kathua to supply information to the applicant within 15 days. However, PIO did not supply information within the time set by FAA which caused to file second appeal. Accordingly, appellant submitted before SIC that there is sufficient cause to file second appeal and has prayed to issue directions to PIO to furnish information . The RTI application enclosed with appeal is addressed to EO, M.C., Kathua, wherein appellant has sought copy of C.V.Nos., M. Books, technical sanction & approved plan of the lane from competent authority for the work done in 2007 regarding C.V.No.20 of October 2007, copy of NIT of said work, copy of registration No.(Card) with date of last renewal, copy of sanction/approval from competent authority, in case the NIT was waived off and the reasons for not constructing lane/drain. The application was sent through speed Post on 27.10.2015. First appeal was filed on 30.11.2015, which has been decided by Soujanya Sharma, FAA/Director, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu vide order dated: 21.12.2015 with directions to EO, M.C., Kathua to provide requisite information to the applicant as per records within a period of 15 days from the date of receipt of this order, under an intimation to his office. During proceedings in held at State Information Commission (SIC) on 6.4.2016 , the appellant admitted to have received the information from Executive Officer M C Kathua vide letter dated:22.01.2016. Appellant however, submitted that information provided is incomplete. The appellant has listed the information provided and information not supplied in tabular order. SIC order dated 6.4.2016 reads as "Upon perusal of information provided by PIO vide letter dated: 22.01.2016 and details of information sought, it is evident that full information has not been provided to the appellant. It is however, noted that in Point: 2 (e) appellant has sought reasons for showing width of lane. Seeking reasons/justifications are not covered under the definition of "Information". In view of the above, the PIO, Executive Officer M.C., Kathua is directed to provide remaining information to the appellant, except information at Point: 2(e). This should be complied within two weeks. The Commission directed EO, M.C, Kathua to be careful in future and file reply relevant to the application on the basis of which appeal is filed". |