Early Times Report
Jammu, July 26: State Information Commission (SIC) issued notice to the Public information Officer (PIO) (Tehsildar, Jammu-North) for not appearing before court and imposed penalty for repeatedly absenting himself during court hearing.
As per order, an RTI application was filed by Rashu Kanna of Jagti on 22.09.2017 for seeking information from Public Information Officer SDM office Jammu (North) regarding purchased of land by some persons at Village Thather, Jammu. However, the PIO/ Tehsildar, Jammu (North) had provided a reply comprising of five leaf to the appellant vide No. TJN/PIO/RTI/17-18/304 dated: 06.11.2017.
Finding the reply of the PIO incomplete, the appellant approached the FAA, O/O SDM, Jammu (North) by filing First Appeal on 25.11.2017. The FAA did not pass any order within the statutory time period as prescribed under the Act. Thereafter the appellant approached the State Information Commission (SIC) by filing the 2nd appeal on 20.02.2018.
The court noted the absence of the PIO/Tehsildar, Jammu (North) consecutively without information to the Commission and initiated penalty proceedings under section 17 of the J&K RTI Act against the PIO. Therefore, a show cause notice was issued to the PIO to explain as to why penalty may not be imposed upon him for not providing information in terms of interim directions of the Commission as well as for continued absence despite issuance of advance hearing notices dated: 05.06.2018 and 13.06.2018.
After hearing the appellant and perusal of record on file, the SIC directed the PIO to provide the information which has not been provided so far and available in the records in terms of the basic RTI applicant's RTI application but due to their non-attendance of hearing, the reasons for non-provision could not be ascertained. The balance information may be provided within 15 days from the date of receipt of this order. |
