KIC slaps record ₹3.2 crore as penalties on govt officials
TIMES NEWS NETWORK 15.09.2024
Bengaluru : The Karnataka Information Commission (KIC) has set a record by imposing the highest penalties in the country while efficiently disposing of Right to Information (RTI) appeals: In the last two-and-a-half years, the commission’s 10 benches have concluded 1,273 cases and imposed a total penalty of Rs 3.2 crore!
According to the RTI Act, the commission can punish any public official who denies information or provides misleading information with a penalty of Rs 250 per day (not exceeding Rs 25,000). Many RTI applicants, dissatisfied with delays or lack of information file appeals with the KIC for review. Unlike other states where the commission has either become defunct or runs a low-key operation, KIC has chosen not to allow accumulation of appeals.
Speaking to STOI, incharge state chief information commissioner HC Sathyan said: “We prioritized the swift resolution of pen ding appeals and the imposition of penalties on erring parties. The motive is to ensure that officials provide information to public, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability in administration.” Interestingly, Sathyan tops the list of information commissioners regarding disposal of cases and imposition of penalties. He handled 805 cases (46.7% of the total) and imposed Rs 2.1 crore in penalties, amounting to 68.1% of the total fines. State information commissioner KP Manjunatha, who presides over three benches, resolved 215 cases and imposed penalties totalling Rs 23.7 lakh. Ravindra Gurunath Dhakappa, the state information commissioner for the Kalaburagi bench, imposed penalties of Rs 21.3 lakh and resolved 100 cases, making him the third highest in terms of fines levied.
Public officials have also been punished for destroying files when sought by applicants. Sathyan himself has ordered inquiry against more than 25 such officials under the Record Keeping Act, 2010. Not just penalising officials, the commission has cracked down applicants who file frivolous petitions or threaten govt officials
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