State Information Commission, Punjab (SIC) has declared Vasika Nawis (Document Writers) as “Public Authority”...

State Information Commission, Punjab (SIC) has declared Vasika Nawis (Document Writers) as “Public Authority” and directed them to provide required information to the appellant. Disclosing this, the spokesperson of the commission said that Advocate Shyam Singh, Nabha (Patiala) sought information under the Right of Information (RTI) Act but concerned Vasika Nawis refused the same and said that he is not in the ambit of RTI. Appellant filed a complaint against Public Information Officer, O/o Tehsildar, Nabha. and First Appellate Authority, O/o Sub Divisional Magistrate, Nabha in State Information Commission.

Commission ordered that the sought information be given in 15 days but concerned Vasika Nawis refused and said that they do not fall in the ambit of RTI Act as they deal with the private persons in their individual capacity. Disposing of the appeal State Inforamation Commissioner ordered the Licensing Authority/Registering Authority to obtain the information from the concerned Vasika Nawis and provide the same to the appellant after giving a chance to the third party to raise any objections.

If there is no objection came from the third party and the PIO is convinced that the sought information is not in line with one of the exemptions under Section 8 (1) of Section 9 of the RTI Act, the admissible information can be disclosed. SIC also ordered that In case the Document Writer refuses to share the information (except  if covered under the exception clauses of the Act), then disciplinary proceedings against him be initiated under Sections 15 and 16 of the “Punjab Document Writers Licensing Rules, 1961.