Latest news with #RightToInformationAct
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
SCI commissioner directs officials to provide RTI info on time
Belagavi: State chief information commissioner AM Prasad said that twenty years have passed since the implementation of the Right to Information Act. In 2019, the RTI bench was started in Belagavi. More than 12,000 applications are pending in the Belagavi division and approximately 3,000 applications in Belagavi district. Action should be taken to dispose of these. Instructions were given to the respective deputy commissioners under the jurisdiction of the Belagavi bench in this regard. Speaking while presiding over the Right To Information Act training programme for public information officers and First Appellate Authority officers held at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Thursday, Prasad said that a public information officer must provide information within the time limit to applicants who file applications seeking information under the Right to Information Act. If the information officer does not provide information without any reasonable cause or if he provides incorrect information with malicious intent, he will have to pay a fine and disciplinary action may be taken, he said. Deputy commissioner Mohammed Roshan said that a meeting will be organised every three months to dispose of pending RTI applications.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Farmland on paper, shopping complex in reality?
Pic: Sai Complex in Kushtagi, which is alleged to be an illegal structure Kushtagi (Koppal): A formal grievance was registered with Koppal's deputy commissioner regarding an unlawfully constructed commercial complex on 27 guntas of revenue land in the town. The property at survey number 51/2, which includes the Kushtagi bus stand, comprises 13 guntas of land, and the ownership is divided between Siddamma Fakirappa Pattanashetty (13 guntas) and Rajeshwari Siddanna Pattanashetty (14 guntas). The primary concern raised in the complaint pertains to 'Sai Complex', a commercial establishment constructed on this land approximately ten years ago. The complex houses over 25 business establishments, including banks, bars, restaurants, and hotels. "Even though it is clear that the taxes owed to the govt are not being settled, the inaction of the appropriate authorities regarding this commercial complex, constructed in breach of all regulations, has led to suspicions," states complainant Parashuram Nagaral. "This shopping complex was constructed without converting the revenue land to non-agricultural (NA) purposes and without acquiring the necessary construction permissions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: Unsold Sofas at Bargain Prices (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo I found it necessary to file a complaint due to the wilful negligence exhibited by the officials of the municipality, the town and country planning department, and other associated departments," he states. RTC records continue to classify this land as revenue land, despite the complex's existence for a decade. Parashuram Nagaral submitted documentation alongside his complaint to the deputy commissioner, requesting action against this unauthorised structure. Siddanna Pattanshetty, the complex owner, refuted these claims. "The complex was built officially, and I have all the documents related to it. However, some people are following the blackmail tactic, and this complaint is full of lies," he said. Kushtagi municipality chief officer VI Bilagi said: "The documents of the said commercial complex property will be checked and necessary action will be taken." The complainant, Parashuram Nagaral, states that this serves as proof of the officials' involvement in illegal activities. According to the information he received under the Right To Information Act, the assistant director of the town planning department stated, "Our office has not approved any layout for the land in survey number 51/2." Municipality official VI Bilagi claimed that no building permit was issued for Sai Complex, and the land remains unconverted. However, Siddanna Pattanshetty, owner of the complex, possesses documentation showing the municipality's chief officer having issued a building permit on July 31, 2012, raising additional questions. The matter now rests with the deputy commissioner, whose response is awaited.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP demands clearance of 16,000 pending RTI applications
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the Congress government in Telangana to implement the Right To Information Act (RTI) since about 16,000 applications are reportedly pending with the authority concerned. Party spokesperson Rani Kumudini told at a press conference held in Hyderabad on Wednesday (May 28) that just like the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, the current government was also reluctant to part with information with regard to any decision taken by various departments even under the RTI Act. She pointed out that the RTI Act was brought into force by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in the Centre and wondered why the government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy dragged his feet in providing information under the Act. The party sought details of the loans taken in the last few months and answers to 27 questions raised has been difficult to come by from the Finance department, she charged. The BJP leader pointed out that the Finance department is headed by deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and the present chief secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao was at the helm of affairs till recently. She urged the Chief Minister to take steps to see that the RTI Act is implemented in true letter and spirit.
