Kozhikode , Keralam Information Commissioner T K Ramakrishnan has warned of strict action against officials who fail to provide information under the RTI Act by claiming that the concerned files are missing or unavailable.
He was speaking after a sitting held at the district Collectorate conference hall, according to an official statement on Monday. Officials should ascertain from whom a file went missing and take appropriate action. The information officer of Nadapuram police station was directed to provide CCTV footage sought by an applicant, while the concerned official of the Malabar Devaswom Board was instructed to provide information after it had been denied on the ground that the information had not been compiled. Fifteen complaints were disposed of during the hearing, the statement added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Officials sometimes respond to Right to Information applications saying that the file could not be traced or was unavailable, Ramakrishnan said, adding that the responsibility for maintaining files rests with the public authorities concerned. If a file is missing, legal action should be initiated and each file should have a designated custodian, he said. Ramakrishnan said officials should view the RTI Act positively and provide information within the stipulated time. The Information Commissioner also said a training programme would be organised next month for district-level officials to create awareness about the RTI Act.
RTI Officer Ordered to Provide Information Following Complaint
Karanthur resident Abdul Kalam filed a complaint leading to action from Ramakrishnan, who instructed the RTI officer of Kunnamangalam panchayat to locate the requested file and furnish the information sought.
Additionally, the information officer at Kozhikode Government Engineering College faced reprimand for not supplying information and document copies, despite the complainant having paid the required fee.
The officer has been ordered to dispatch the requested information to Abdul Kalam via speed post without delay.
