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| Construction of lav blocks in Kishtwar: SIC asks BDO to give details | | | Early Times Report
Kishtwar, May 21: As there are allegations of fund embezzlement under Swach Bharat Mission (construction of lavatories) in block Dacchan of Kishtwar, the State Information Commission (SIC) has directed the concerned Block Development Officer (BDO) to reveal all details under RTI Act especially funds spent.
Details available with Early Times reveal that one SK Koul, of Akhnoor Road, Jammu filed an RTI application with the District Panchayat Officer, Kishtwar who is also the designated PIO on 11.08.2018, seeking information on funds utilized on lavatory block construction under Swatch Bharat Mission in Block Dacchan for the year 2016-17 & 2017-18.
The information seeker had sought details of household toilets and Janta toilets which were constructed plus names of beneficiaries with their full address Panchayat wise along-with their bank account number and adhar number. As the RTI request was not responded by the PIO, Koul filed first appeal before the Deputy Director, Rural Sanitation, Jammu on 18.09.2018. The first appeal filed by the appellant was not disposed by the Director who is also the first appellate authority (FAA). Koul finally filed 2nd appeal before the SIC on 28.12.2018.
The appeal came up for hearing before the Commission on 06.02.2019. The appellant was present in person during the hearing. However, the PIO, BDO, Dacchan was represented by Mohsin Hyder, Technical Assistant during the hearing. The appellant submitted that till date no information had been received from the PIO. The representative of the PIO submitted that information relating to point No. 3 had been sent through registered post to the appellant on 04.02.2019. However, the information in respect of point No. 1 and 2 was still to be furnished.
The PIO was reminded by SIC that refusal of the information to the information seeker makes him punishable under section 17 of the J&K Right to Information Act, 2009. Hearing was adjourned in the appeal with the direction to the PIO to provide complete information to the appellant within two weeks from the date of receipt of the order. The PIO was also directed to explain as to why he had failed to furnish the information within the stipulated period of 30 days to the appellant.
The appeal came up for hearing before the Commission again on 14.03.2019. The appellant as well as the PIO did not attend the hearing. The PIO was also not present on the previous date of hearing on 06.02.2019. Vide interim order dated 06.02.2019, the PIO was directed to provide complete information to the appellant within two weeks and was also directed to explain as to why he failed to furnish the information to the appellant within the specified time.
The appeal again came up for hearing before the Commission on April 25. The appellant was present in person during the hearing. The FAA/Director, Rural Sanitation and the PIO/BDO, Dacchan were present during the hearing. The PIO explained that he could not attend the last hearings due to illness of his father and mother. The PIO submitted that the information sought by the appellant has been provided to him. The appellant acknowledged the receipt of the information and submitted that the same replies only to point No. 3 of the RTI request. The PIO has not provided him the details of funds received and the funds utilized under Swatch Bharat Mission Household Toilets and Janta Toilets constructed in the said Block during the year 2016-17, 2017-18 alongwith copy of plan. The PIO, BDO Dacchan assured the Commission that the balance information would be provided to the appellant within two days.
With an agreement of the parties and keeping in view the assurance given by the PIO, BDO Dacchan appeal was disposed off by SIC with the direction to the PIO to furnish the balance information to the appellant within the aforesaid period of two days as assured. |
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