Punjab info panel flags glaring deficiencies in RTI handling

Time of India

17-05-2025

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Chandigarh: In a scathing indictment of the state's
public works department
(building and roads), the
Punjab State Information Commission
has flagged glaring
systemic deficiencies
that obstruct citizen access to information under the RTI Act.
The commission observed that such lapses prevent RTI requests from being processed effectively and information from being provided in a timely manner. These observations were made by state information commissioner Bhupinder S Batth during a hearing on an appeal filed by a
Pathankot resident
, who claimed that only partial information was provided in response to his RTI query to the PWD (B&R), Pathankot.
Despite pointing out discrepancies earlier, the appellant claimed no corrective action or response was received from the department.
Upon reviewing the case, the commission found that information for key points remained unanswered, and the clerk appearing on behalf of the respondent was unaware of case specifics. The public information officer (PIO) was absent and failed to respond to a show-cause notice already issued by the commission.
Calling it a serious lapse, the commission stated that the respondent PIO demonstrated complete disregard for the RTI Act, 2005, and adopted a casual, callous approach toward the RTI mechanism. "It is abundantly clear that such matters are being ignored and set aside, which reflects disrespect towards the RTI Act itself," the commission remarked in its order.
It observed that there are glaring systemic deficiencies in the department and criticised the lack of a proper record-keeping system.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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"An appropriate mechanism has not been provided to keep the record properly by the public authority, due to which the information/request under RTI Act, 2005, is not being served properly," the commission observed.
Despite its stern stance, the commission extended a final opportunity to the PIO, directing him to appear personally at the next hearing and submit a written reply to the show-cause notice.
He was also instructed to provide the complete pending information to the appellant within two weeks of receiving the commission's order. Failure to comply, the order warned, will invite action under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act, which provides for penalties against erring officials. The case is next listed for hearing on July 30.