
BDPO faces pay cut, disciplinary action over repeated non-compliance of info panel's orders
2
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.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
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.
MSID:: 122319348 413 |

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
32 minutes ago
- News18
Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam official suspended for misbehaving with consumer
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Lucknow, Jul 27 (PTI) A superintendent engineer (SE) of Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam has been suspended for allegedly misbehaving with a consumer, officials said on Sunday. Sharing the suspension order of SE Prashant Singh on X, Uttar Pradesh Energy and Urban Development Minister A K Sharma said, 'Upbhogta Devo Bhav (consumer is god)!" 'The SE of Basti, Prashant Singh, has been suspended with immediate effect for his insensitivity and indecent behaviour towards the complaint of electricity consumers. 'All other electricity officers and employees have been directed for effective and quick solution of consumer problems. Everyone should be ready for public service," Sharma said. The suspension order was issued on Saturday by Chief Engineer (administration) Arvind Nayak on behalf of the managing director of Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam (PVVN). It said that Bharat Pandey, a resident of Mudaghat in Basti district, lodged a complaint with Singh over phone on July 18 about non-supply of electricity. The suspension order said Singh behaved 'indecently" with the complainant despite being in a responsible position, which fell under the category of 'misconduct". Singh will remain attached to the office of the MD, PVVN, Varanasi, during his suspension period, the order said. Accountability will be fixed from the top management of the power corporation to the field-level officials, he said. Arbitrary behaviour of any staff member hindering development will be strongly dealt with, the minister said in the statement. 'Despite substantial investments in power infrastructure – over Rs 26,000 crore in the last three years – the image of the government and the department is being damaged by the carelessness of a few employees. 'In view of the state's development needs and the rights of the consumers, such irresponsibility will no longer be accepted," Sharma said. PTI CDN NAV ARI view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 00:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Pakistan tribal council threatens highway block over girl's murder
ISLAMABAD: A tribal jirga (council of elders) in Pakistan's Tank district has threatened to block a stretch of Indus Highway on July 29 after the killing of a nine-year-old girl sparked public outrage. Convened in Tank's Gul Imam on Saturday, the jirga issued an 11-point charter of demands, warning of a full blockade if authorities fail to respond. Indus Highway (N-55) is a critical national artery that runs along the river, connecting Karachi in Pakistan's south with Peshawar in the north and cutting through multiple provinces. The planned blockade at Pezu will impact trade routes, passenger transport, and military convoys. The protests gained momentum after a viral video showed residents confronting armed security personnel -- an extraordinary act in this militarised stretch of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The footage amplified long-standing anger over arbitrary detentions, raids without warrants, and what locals call collective punishment disguised as counterterrorism. 'Our decision to block the highway remains. If our demands are accepted, we'll reconsider. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tummy Tuck Surgery In Russian Federation Might Be Cheaper Than You Think Tummy Tuck Surgery | Search Ads Undo If not, Pezu will be shut down on July 29,' jirga leader Abdul Qayum Kundi said. Police have registered a case in the girl's death, but authorities have yet to disclose any findings. Locals allege misconduct or negligence by security forces—claims that remain unverified but widely believed within the community. In a bid to defuse tensions, local officials delivered three sheep and (Pak) Rs 2.5 million (around $9,000) to the girl's family -- an act rooted in tribal custom, meant to symbolise remorse and reconciliation. But jirga members view it as a token gesture. 'This is hush money in ceremonial form,' said one elder. The jirga's demands include the release of detainees not proven to have militant ties, an end to forced house searches, and a halt to arrests of suspects' relatives. They also call for the return of confiscated weapons and an end to detentions based on vague accusations of mukhbiri (spying). The jirga's demands echo those of the banned Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), which for years challenged Pakistan's security policies in its tribal belt.


Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rs 1.8 lakh stolen from shop in Ghatlodia
Ahmedabad: A theft of Rs 1.8 lakh was reported from a sports equipment shop located in Vraj Valencia Complex in the Sola area. Sejal Patel, 30, a resident of Ganeshdham Bungalows, Ghatlodia, stated in her FIR with Sola police that her shop, 'Sun Sports and Fitness', is managed by her husband, Jatin Patel, and an employee named Piyush Rabari. Her husband was abroad for five days. On Saturday morning, she received a call from Jatin informing her that a theft occurred at the shop. Piyush, who locked the shop the previous night around 9.30pm, was alerted by a cleaner the next morning that one shutter lock was broken. On checking, they found that Rs 1.80 lakh cash from the counter was missing. Sola police registered an FIR of theft and criminal trespassing under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and began reviewing the CCTV footage for further clues.