Early Times Report
Jammu, May 5: Tehsildar Nagrota who is also the designated PIO in Tehsil office Nagrota instead to attending the hearing at SIC office Jammu sent a Girdawar to appear before Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) who is of the rank of Election Commissioner of India.
Details available with Early Times reveal that a complaint was filed under section 15 of the J&K RTI Act, 2009 by one Sudershan Singh, S/o. Late Krishan Singh, a resident of Indira Colony, Jammu on 20.10.2017. Complainant alleged that that the PIO/Tehsildar, Nagrota did not provide any information within the statutory period of 30 days in response to his RTI application dated: 01.07.2017.
In compliance to the notice of the State Information Commission (SIC) dated: 02.01.2018, the hearing on 08.01.2018 was attended by Yousuf Ali, Girdawar (Office Qanoongo OQ ), Nagrota representative of PIO/Tehsildar, Nagrota. As Complainant Sudarshan Singh didn't attend the hearing, the hearing was adjourned .
The SIC however took cognizance of absence of the Tehsildar before the Commission and ruled, "The conduct of the Tehsildar/PIO appears prima-facie contemptuous of the State Information Commission as laid down under the J&K RTI Act, 2009. Therefore, the Registrar, SIC shall send a separate communication to the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu and Deputy Commissioner, Jammu bringing the matter to their notice and also to ensure the presence of First Appellate Authorities (FAAs) and PIOs of the Revenue Department in future hearings of 2nd appeals and complaints in the State Information Commission."
"The absence of the PIO was viewed seriously. In the last order of this Commission dated: 01-02-2018, the PIO was directed to submit a written reply as to why the order of the Additional DC, Jammu/FAA dated: 15-09-2017 has not been complied with. Since the PIO has absented himself and also not provided any written statement, it is decided to go ahead with the inquiry under section 15 (2) of the J&K RTI ACT, 2009 and seek the presence of FAA/ Additional DC, Jammu, Tehsildar Nagrota, Naib Tehsildar of the area and Patwari concerned along with written statements by each of them as to why information sought for was not provided as alleged by the complainant/counsel for the complainant" the SIC order read. |
