By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Information Commission has imposed penalties on five Government officials for either refusing to receive applications for information under the RTI Act or failing to furnish the information within the stipulated time.
As per the annual report for 2010 tabled in the Assembly on Friday, it was found that the Commission has imposed the highest penalty of Rs 16,250 on the SSA District Mission Coordinator (DMC), Tura.
The second highest penalty has been imposed on Thadlaskein Block Development Officer Precious Mawa who has been asked to pay Rs 12,750 while the third highest penalty of Rs 12,250 has been imposed on East Khasi Hills District Sports Officer (DSO) George Lyngdoh. Among others who were penalised by the Commission included PWD Deputy Chief Engineer (Roads) Lurstep Dohling (Rs 7250) and JHADC Public Information Officer (PIO) B Pachiang (Rs 2500).
As per the report, the commission has given sufficient time to these officials to pay their penalties amount.
Meanwhile, the commission has awarded compensation to three complainants – Mozammel Haque of West Garo Hills, Jayanta Chakraborty of Lumparing and L Khongshei of Laitmawsiang, Sohra – who were made to suffer in the process while seeking information under the RTI Act.
Haque got a compensation of Rs 8000 while Chakraborty and Khongshei received compensation amount of Rs 2500 each.