Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 22:In yet another attempt to conceal corruption and bungling behind floods of September 2014, Urban Environment Engineering Department/City Drainage (UEED) Civil Division, Srinagar has denied information to under RTI act to a senior citizen namely Prof Abdul Gani Bhat who had sought reasons for not undertaking repairs of an open drain in his mohalla.
The department submitted under affidavit that their official record has been completely damaged in 2014 floods. The State Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) G R Sufi while taking matter seriously especially the unnecessary delay on part of PIO / XEn has issued penalty notice against the officer.
Details available with Early Times reveal that one Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, a resident Pamposh Colony Natipora Srinagar filed an RTI application before PIO, Urban Environment Engineering Department/City Drainage (UEED) Civil Division, Srinagar, seeking attested copies of applications/ representations, office notes made and order passed thereon, if any, about repairing the lane of Prof Gani's mohalla, dug out by some agency in January, 2012 which was left in dilapidated condition. The Executive Engineer / PIO City Drainage, Civil Division SMC, Srinagar responded to the request of the appellant vide his communication dated: 29-09-2015 and informed the appellant that record pertained to the information sought was submerged in the water for many weeks during devastating floods of September, 2014, hence no information could be provided.
CIC in his direction ruled, " Commission heard the PIO and perused the record produced before the Commission. Section 7 of the J&K State RTI Act, 2009 makes it clear that PIO after receipt of a request for information has to respond to the request as expeditiously as possible but not later than 30 days. In this case, PIO was to pass order by or before 23-08-2015, which has not been done. The PIO responded to the request of the appellant on 29-09-2015, hence a delay of more than one month was caused.
Therefore, Mr. Ram Lal Pangotra, Executive Engineer, City Drainage, SMC, Srinagar is directed to explain why penalty under Section 17 of the J&K State RTI Act, 2009 may not be imposed on him for not passing order on time. His reply, if any must reach the Commission within 15 days of the receipt of this order". |
