BDPO faces pay cut, disciplinary action over repeated non-compliance of info panel's orders
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Chandigarh: Punjab State Information Commission (PSIC) has recommended strict disciplinary action and salary deduction against a block development and panchayat officer (BDPO)-cum-public information officer (PIO) for repeatedly ignoring commission directives under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 and bailable warrants.
State Information Commissioner (SIC) Dr Bhupinder Batth issued the directions during a hearing on an appeal filed by a resident of Patiala. The appellant was awaiting information since Dec 14, 2022, despite multiple hearings and official notices spanning over two years.
During the initial hearing on Dec 14, 2022, the respondent sought time to furnish the requested information. The matter was adjourned to March 28, 2023, when another delay was sought.
On April 24, 2023, a show-cause notice was issued to the PIO, and the case was further deferred to May 29, 2023.
When the PIO, Krishan Singh, failed to appear on May 29, the commission imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 and issued bailable warrants against him. Despite this, he remained absent on July 18, Aug 16, and Sept 20, 2023.
After the retirement of former SIC Maninder Singh Patti, the case was reallocated to SIC Dr Bhupinder Batth, with the next hearing scheduled for Jan 29, 2025.
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On that day, the appellant was unable to attend due to his wife's illness, but panchayat secretary Jarnail Singh appeared on behalf of the respondent. He informed the commission that Krishan Singh is now posted as BDPO, Chogawan, Amritsar.
The commission directed both Krishan Singh and the present PIO of BDPO, Patran, to appear with point-wise replies. However, neither officer appeared, nor did they inform the commission of their absence.
The appellant reiterated that no information was provided to him to date. The commission, upon reviewing the case file, noted that despite repeated notices and hearing orders, Krishan Singh consistently failed to comply. Moreover, the Rs 25,000 penalty imposed over a year ago remains unpaid, underscoring, as the commission observed, a "complete lack of regard for the RTI regime."
Taking serious note of what it called a "deliberate and disrespectful" dereliction of duty, the commission recommended disciplinary action under Section 20(2) of the RTI Act, 2005 against Krishan Singh, now BDPO, Chogawan.
The order was forwarded to financial commissioner, rural development and panchayats, with directions to ensure recovery of the Rs 25,000 penalty by deducting it from Krishan Singh's salary.
They were instructed to initiate strict disciplinary proceedings under applicable service rules and submit an action taken report within 30 days of receiving the order.
In addition, the commission granted a final opportunity to the current PIO (BDPO, Patran, Patiala) to appear before the commission on the next date of hearing with the complete information. Failing this, action under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act will be initiated. The case has been listed for further hearing on Oct 14.
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