The Punjab State Information Commission (PSIC) has directed a former Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) of Nabha to deposit the Rs 25,000 penalty imposed on her for violating provisions of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The commission also instructed her to submit a compliance report before the next hearing scheduled for September 9.
Background of the Case
Nearly three months after imposing the maximum penalty on the former Public Information Officer (PIO), State Information Commissioner Bhupinder Singh Batth, during a hearing last week, directed compliance in the case. The RTI applicant has been awaiting records related to two village panchayats for almost two years after filing the application.
Applicant's Grievance
Appearing before the commission, the complainant, Gurpreet Singh, submitted that despite the imposition of the penalty, neither a reply nor the requested information was supplied by the concerned authorities.
Commission's Observations
Addressing the grievance, the commission observed that in complaint proceedings, its primary role is to determine whether there was mala fide intent or negligence on the part of the PIO. "In this case, action has already been taken against the respondent PIO for delay in providing information. The only surviving issue in the present complaint pertains to the deposit/recovery of the penalty amount imposed upon the respondent," the commission noted in its order.
The current PIO-cum-BDPO Nabha, Jatinder Singh, and former PIO Baljit Kaur, along with other officials, were present during the hearing.
Details of the RTI Application
The case originated from an RTI application filed on July 23, 2024, by Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Thuhi village in Nabha. Singh sought extensive records relating to gram panchayats Thuha Patti and Thuhi, including:
- Attested copies of no-objection certificates (NOCs) issued at the time of dissolution of the panchayats
- Bank statements of all active and closed accounts from January 1, 2019, to July 23, 2024
- Details of development works executed under the administrator
- Copies of quotations, final bills, and labour muster rolls
- Information regarding panchayat registers and stock records
- Digital records including videography of shamlat land auctions and gram sabha proceedings conducted in June 2024
Penalty Imposition
In its March 12 order, the commission imposed the maximum penalty of Rs 25,000 on Baljit Kaur, then serving as BDPO Nabha, for what it described as a prolonged pattern of non-compliance with RTI proceedings. Terming the conduct "deliberate" and indicative of a "defying attitude," the commission directed the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) to recover the penalty from the officer's salary. Kaur is presently posted in the office of the Director, Rural Development and Panchayats, SAS Nagar (Mohali). The commission also recommended that the director initiate appropriate administrative action against her.
Response from Officials
Baljit Kaur could not be contacted for comments. However, BDPO Nabha Jatinder Singh said that information to the applicant was almost compiled and would be provided within a week. He added that the fine would also be deposited by Baljit Kaur, as directions have been made to the DDO to recover the penalty.
