MANGALORE : The Karnataka Information Commission has censured the MCC Joint Commissioner MK Gadkar for the delay in providing information sought by an individual under the RTI Act, about a particular project of the Mangalore city corporation.
CPM member Krishnappa K had on July 10, 2009 applied to the Mangalore city corporation seeking details on the expenditure made under the 18 per cent reserve fund during the year 2008-2009 and also the details of the beneficiaries under the Sintex scheme. But when he did not receive any information within 30 days as per the rules, he complained to the Information Commission on August 10. Following this, the Commission had served a summons to the MCC joint Commissioner on October 29. In a letter to the Commission on November 13, the Joint Commissioner had explained that he could not provide the required information on time due to preoccupation. However, the State Information Commissioner KA Tippeswamy in his ruling, while expressing resentment against the MCC joint Commissioner, has observed that a deliberate delay was made in providing the requisite information though it was easily available in the progress report of the MCC. The letter of caution by the Commission to the Joint Commissioner said it was proved at the outset that not only was the information furnished incomplete, but also an attempt has been made to conceal some information.
The Joint Commissioner has also been warned that in case Gadkar resorted to similar delay in furnishing information sought by public under the RTI Act, then the Commissioner would recommend imposing of penalty on him.
Related news: