Telangana SIC slaps Rs 20,000 fine on Irkigudem Panchayat Secretary for RTI violation
The Commission also directed that the penalty amount be paid as compensation to the applicant and ordered the immediate release of the requested records
By - Newsmeter Network
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Hyderabad: Telangana State Information Commission (SIC) has slapped a fine of Rs 20,000 on the Public Information Officer (PIO) of Irkigudem Gram Panchayat in Nalgonda district for failing to provide information on building construction permissions under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The Commission also directed that the penalty amount be paid as compensation to the applicant and ordered the immediate release of the requested records.
RTI filed over alleged storage of explosives
The case pertains to Irkigudem village in Dameracherla mandal of Nalgonda district. A private individual, K. Krishna, had filed an RTI application on June 20, 2022, seeking copies of permissions and records related to buildings constructed by a private company in the village.
Krishna alleged that explosive materials were being stored in the said building, posing a potential threat to public safety. He sought official records to verify whether the construction had been legally approved by the Gram Panchayat.
Information denied at multiple levels
The Panchayat Secretary, who was serving as the Public Information Officer, responded that the requested information was not available. Dissatisfied with the reply, the applicant filed a first appeal before the Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO), but the information was still not furnished.
Left with no option, Krishna approached the Telangana State Information Commission with a second appeal on September 23, 2022.
Commission expresses strong displeasure
The matter came up for hearing on February 12 before State Information Commissioner P.V. Srinivas. During the hearing, the PIO reiterated that the records were not available.
Expressing strong displeasure, the Commissioner questioned how building construction permissions could be granted without maintaining proper records. He observed that it is the responsibility of the Panchayat Secretary to preserve and produce all records related to construction approvals.
Holding the PIO accountable for negligence in discharging statutory duties under the RTI Act, the Commission imposed a penalty of Rs 20,000 and directed that the amount be paid to the applicant as compensation.
Two-week deadline to furnish records
The Commission further ordered the Panchayat to provide the complete set of requested records within two weeks.
The ruling underscores the accountability of public authorities in maintaining official records and responding transparently to RTI queries, particularly in matters concerning public safety.
