Violation of RTI Act: Info panel slapped Rs 8.8 lakh fine on govt officials

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According to the report, the Commission had disposed of total 9,878 appeals and complaints. Out of those cases, in total 69 cases the Commission had slapped fine on government officials or officials of various authorities falling under various government departments. Sixty-one of the officials fined were related to the Second Appeals that applicants file under the provisions of the RTI Act before the Information Commission. Whereas, eight of them were fined by the Commission while acting upon the complaints registered against them with the Commission.

In its report, the Commission has also named six departments— Revenue, Urban Development & Urban Housing, Panchayat, Rural Housing & Rural Development, Education, Home and Health & Family Welfare— against whom maximum number of appeals or complaints were filed.

The Commission has also noted in the report that looking at the quantum of appeals and complaints related to the six departments and the authorities falling under them, it does not seem that they could completely satisfy RTI applicants.More than 75 per cent appeals and complaints were related to the six departments, it added.