news details |
|
|
| 'Provide copies of M Book, invoices to RTI applicant' | | SIC directs ACD Poonch & BDO Balakot | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 6: With an aim of ensuring transparency in execution of various works by Rural Development Department (RDD) in Balakot block of Poonch district, the State Information Commission (SIC) has directed the Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Poonch and Block Development Officer (BDO) Balakot to provide copies of M Book, Iinvoices, muster sheets and other information to an information seeker under the Right to Information Act (RTI). This information was earlier denied to the RTI applicant him, prompting him to file an appeal before the commission.
Details available with Early Times reveal that one Sabza Bi, a resident of Naka Manjeri block Balakot of Poonch filed an application under RTI Act with PIO/BDO, Balakote on 29.08.2018 seeking information on 06 points related to works executed under MGNREGA. Sabzi Bi filed First Appeal with the ACD Poonch (First Appellate Authority-FAA) on 09.10.2018. Subsequently, the appellant filed Second Appeal before the SIC on 21.12.2018 praying therein that the respondents (ACD and BDO) may be directed to furnish the requisite information besides taking strict action against them.
The appeal came up for hearing before the Commission on 14.03.2019. The appellant did not attend. However, she was represented by her counsel Ashok Gupta (Advocate). The FAA/ACD Poonch was present during the hearing.
The hearing was adjourned with a direction to the appellant (Sabzi Bi) to file rejoinder to the information received by her on 08.12.2018. The appeal again came up for hearing before the Commission on 22.04.2019. The appellant was present in person along with her counsel. The PIO/BDO, Balakote was not present. During the last hearing, the ACD, Poonch had produced an acknowledgement receipt with the thumb impression of the appellant certifying that she has received the information. However, during hearing ON 24.04.2019 , Sabzi Bi submitted that she was asked to sign the receipt of the information which would be subsequently provided to her. However, the information provided later on was incomplete and misleading alleged Sabzi Bi.
The muster roll sheets, copies of M. Book and copies of work register were not provided by the PIO. Since the PIO (BDO Balakot) was not present, his views could not be heard by Commission. Sources have told Early Times that officials of RDD have involved in large scale bungling in execution of MGNREGA works in Balakot and that is the reason officers are reluctant to share copies of M Book , Muster sheets and invoices to information seeker.
While disposing off the appeal SIC in its order said: "The maximum period for deciding an appeal by the Commission is about to expire in the present appeal. Hence no further adjournment can be granted. Decision: The appeal is accordingly disposed of with a direction to PIO/BDO, Balakote as well as to the FAA/AC (D), Poonch to provide 3 copies of M. Book, Work Register, invoices and Muster Roll Sheets of Panchayat Naka Manjhari for the year 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 within a period of 02 weeks from the date of receipt of this order. In case the PIO fails to provide the information within the aforesaid period, the appellant shall be at liberty to file a complaint against the PIO before the Commission." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
