PSIC issues show cause notice to Mohali director public instructions for RTI information denial

Time of India

2 days ago

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Mohali: The Punjab State Information Commission (PSIC) has issued a show cause notice to the public information officer (PIO) of the director public instructions (secondary education), Mohali, for failing to furnish information sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Following a complaint by Sukhchain Singh, a resident of Fatehgarh Churian, Batala, the commission, invoking Section 20(1) of the RTI Act, has asked the PIO to explain in writing why a penalty should not be imposed for the alleged willful delay or denial of information. The officer has been directed to submit a detailed reply before the next date of hearing.
During the proceedings, the commission expressed strong displeasure at what it termed as "complete negligence and laxity" on the part of the public authority in handling the RTI request.
The commission noted that the continued failure to respond to such matters reflected not only inefficiency but also a disregard for the RTI Act itself.
"The casual and callous approach adopted by the respondent is against the spirit of the RTI Act," the commission observed, adding that the law was enacted to promote transparency and ensure effective access to information. "Such behaviour by a government servant must be condemned," it said, emphasising that exemplary action is necessary to send a clear message to other public officials about their obligations under the Act.
The PSIC's stern remarks underlined the need for accountability in governance and warned that non-compliance with the RTI framework undermines public trust in administrative institutions.