news details |
|
|
| SIC allows inspection of official record, directs BDO to refund Rs 4520 to RTI applicant | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 18: The State Information Commission (SIC) has directed the Block Development Officer (BDO) Assar block in Doda district to allow inspection of official record by an RTI applicant who was earlier denied such inspection by the BDO who happens to be the Public Information Officer (PIO) of BDO Office Assar. The SIC also issued a stringent orders against the BDO to refund an amount of Rs 4520 in favour of the RTI applicant which was deposited him on account of photocopying fees of official record sought under RTI Act. According to official records available with Early Times one Mohammad. Shabir S/o Ghulam Mohi-Ud- Din R/o Bibrota, Tehsil & District Doda moved an application dated 20-01-2014 which was received in the office of Public Information Officer (Block Development Officer)block Assar on 30-01-2014 under Jammu & Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009 . The information seeker sought information about works executed of Panchayat Bibrota during the financial year 2010 to 2013 and sought name of the beneficiaries, amount sanctioned and disbursed, funds allotted, name and details of bank, name of person with parentage and address in whose name payment was made. Information seeker also sought details of works executed under MGNREGA. The PIO cum Block Development Officer, Assar vide office letter no. BDOA/2013- 14/4973-75 dated 24-03-2014 requested the complainant to deposit an amount of Rs. 4520/-(Four Thousand Five Hundred & Twenty Only) in his office as photocopying charges of the official record demanded since 2010 of Panchayat Bibrota, Block Assar. Accordingly, the complainant deposited the said amount on 10-04-2014 and PIO/BDO, Assar requested the complainant to attend his office and collect the said record on 20-04-2014. In his complaint before the State Information Commission (SIC) , the complainant Mohammad Shabir alleged that information provided by the BDO, Assar was incomplete and incorrect and which was not correlating to his RTI application. The Commission after receiving the complaint listed the matter for hearing on 25-06-2014. Lekh Raj, I/C Inspector Panchayat represented the PIO cum BDO, Assar. During the course of proceedings held on that day, the PIO was directed to allow the complainant an opportunity to inspect the record in his office before the next date of hearing and provide him certified copies of any documents required by him free of cost. PIO- BDO, Assar was further directed to refund the cost of information i.e. Rs. 4520/- to the information seeker as it was collected after the lapse of statutory period prescribed under the J&K RTI Act, 2009.
During the course of proceedings, the complainant informed the Commission that he has not received the refund of Rs. 4520/- as directed by the Commission. The complainant further alleged that PIO cum BDO, Assar did not provide him any opportunity to inspect the record in his office as well. Whereas the PIO cum BDO, Assar informed the Commission that he has written to Branch Manager, State Bank of India, Assar vide office letter no. 1044-47 dated 09- 07-2014 for transfer of amount of Rs. 4520/- in the account of the complainant as directed by the Commission during the course of last hearing. "Keeping in view the aforesaid facts and observations, the PIO/BDO, Assar is hereby directed to allow the complainant an opportunity to inspect the record in his office on a working day and provide him certified copies of the relevant documents free of cost if any, required by him." reads the SIC order. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
