Punishment for not providing information sought by RTI applicants
SHILLONG: As many as seven Public information Officers (PIOs) were penalized in 2013 by the Meghalaya Information Commission for not providing the required information sought by RTI applicants.
This was revealed in the 8th annual report of the Meghalaya Information Commission which was placed before the State Legislative Assembly on Friday.
The report revealed that a penalty of Rs.2000 was imposed on the PIO, Block Development Office, Resubelpara C&RD Block.
The report also stated that a penalty of Rs.25000 was imposed on the PIO and District School Education Officer, Tura. A penalty of Rs.19000 was also imposed on the PIO, Deputy CE, PWD (Roads), Shillong and the FAA, CE PWD (Roads), Shillong.
The report stated that whenever complaints are received by the Commission, it gives an opportunity to the PIO by issuing a show cause notice asking the concerned officer to explain why penalty should not be imposed for violation of the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005.
The State Information Commission is also empowered to direct the public authority to pay compensation to the complainant.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Information Commission has recommended to the State Government that a chapter on the RTI Act should be introduced in the Social Studies paper to be taught in schools at the Secondary level.
The 8th annual report of the Meghalaya Information Commission states that implementation of the RTI Act cannot be fully achieved unless the citizenry, particularly the youths, are aware of its aims and objectives.
The Commission felt that a chapter on RTI Act should be introduced in the Social Studies paper in order to educate the youth on the Act right from an early age.
