MC fined, gets notice for not supplying info

Ludhiana: The carelessness of the municipal corporation in supplying information can be gauged from the fact that Punjab State Information Commission has imposed Rs 3,000 penalty in one case while in another case a show-cause notice has been issued for delaying the information. Both applications were files by city-based activist Baljit Singh, a resident of BRS Nagar, and in both cases information was not supplied to the applicant.
While giving details about the cases Baljit Singh said, “I had demanded information regarding certified copies of application by the coloniser of Barewal Awana near Magnat resort Sua Road, including approval, etc. and receipt for amount paid. This colony was being developed illegally and plots were cut out and roads constructed without MC approval.”
He said he did not get the information, so he had to approach the Punjab State Information Commission. Despite several warnings neither the public information officer was present for hearing nor anybody was deputed by him, so the commission issued a show-cause notice to him. Besides, he has been asked to answer why the commission should not impose penalty.
He further shared that in the second case he had asked for information about legible copies of all challans of buildings of area in block 32 and 32 A of zone A from January 1, 2018 till date. He said even in this case the information was not supplied and the civic officials in repeated hearings took the plea that information was voluminous, so they need more time to provide the same. He said the Commission took note of this case and imposed a penalty of Rs 3,000 to be paid to him as he had even visited the office of public information officer as well.