The State Information Commission (SIC) during the hearing of a case has imposed fine of Rs. 25,000

Chandigarh : The State Information Commission (SIC) during the hearing of a case has imposed fine of Rs. 25,000 on the PIO-cum-Naib Tehsildar, Khanouri District Sangrur for not providing information to the applicant under RTI Act.

Disclosing this an official spokesperson of the State Information Commission said that an applicant Rajvir Singh S/o Shri Gurtej Singh, Village: Thaska, Post Office: Bhulan, Tehsil Moonak, District: Sangrur sought information information from the Public Information officer, Office of Naib Tehsildar, Khanouri, District: Sangrur under RTI, Act.

Spokesperson further said that the respondent PIO has malafidely delayed the information to the appellant without any reasonable grounds and also delayed the submission of reply to the Show-Cause notice issued to him by the Commission and thus has rendered himself liable for punishment as provided under the RTI Act, 2005. Though he was given umpteen opportunities to explain his conduct in connection with the Show-Cause Notice issued to him under Section 20(1) of the Act but he failed to come up with a satisfactory reply.

The Commission thus imposes a penalty of Rs. 25,000 on Vivek Nirmohi, Naib Tehsildar-cum-PIO, Khanouri, which has to be deposited in the government treasury and compensation of Rs. 5,000 is awarded to appellant for the loss and detriment suffered by him during this long period. This amount is to be paid by the Public Servant through a Bank Draft within 30 days and a confirmation to this effect will be furnished to the Commission on the next date of hearing.