Chandigarh: Flagging concerns over loss of previously available govt records, Punjab State Information Commission (PSIC) has directed the state transport department to identify officials responsible and take disciplinary action against them.
These instructions were issued by state information commissioner Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal in an appeal filed by a Pathankot resident, who sought information, including permits renewed in 2015, from the regional transport authority, Jalandhar.
The public information officer expressed inability to share details, stating the record pertaining to the case was old. Despite extensive efforts to locate it, the record was not available as it was “very old”, said the PIO.
The appellant expressed dissatisfaction with the PIO’s response and reiterated an urgent need for the information.
Disagreeing with the stance taken by the PIO, the commission noted that if requested information, once part of govt records, cannot be located despite best efforts, the department concerned must fix responsibility for the loss of the records and take departmental action against officers/officials responsible.
The commission directed the respondent PIO, secretary of regional transport authority, Jalandhar, to personally attend the next hearing with a written, point-by-point reply to the RTI application and duly attested copies of all requested information. Failure to attend will result in the commission issuing a bailable warrant to ensure his presence.
The appellant sought relief from physical appearance at hearings due to financial and geographical constraints. He requested alternative arrangements for telephonic hearing, facilitating his participation without undue inconvenience. Pursuant to the request submitted, the commission granted an exemption to the appellant from physical presence before the commission, in light of undue hardships caused by travel constraints.
Last year, the commission imposed a penalty of Rs 10,000 on the PIO. The commission observed that material on record indicated undue delay in communicating the correct state of affairs to the appellant regarding the information requested. The PIO failed to provide any explanation for the delay and did not respond to the commission’s directives, indicating a lack of diligence in carrying out duties. Consequently, the commission found him liable to the penalty due to this unwarranted negligence. The penalty amount was deposited into the appropriate govt account, and a copy of the e-challan was submitted to the commission during last hearing. The case is listed for hearing on Nov 26.