Tamil Nadu Information Commission Takes Strict Action Over RTI Violation
The Tamil Nadu State Information Commission has taken a firm stance against bureaucratic negligence by ordering departmental proceedings against a deputy tahsildar for attempting to cover up an administrative omission in a reply provided under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. This significant development highlights the commission's commitment to enforcing transparency and accountability within government departments.
Official Directed to Face Departmental Action
Chief Information Commissioner Md Shakeel Akhter has issued a directive to the Chengalpet Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) to initiate formal departmental action against Kanchana, who served as the then deputy tahsildar and public information officer. The commission has mandated that a detailed report on this disciplinary action must be submitted by March 5, 2024, ensuring timely follow-through on this matter of administrative integrity.
Root Cause: Non-Implementation of Revenue Order
The core issue stems from the non-implementation of a 2023 order issued by the Chengalpet District Revenue Officer. This official directive specifically required the removal of one individual's name from the 'A register' concerning a particular survey number in Pammal, while simultaneously including another person's name in these crucial land records. The failure to execute this order properly triggered the subsequent RTI application and commission proceedings.
Petitioner's Persistence Leads to Resolution
The petitioner, T V Madhanagopal from Chromepet, demonstrated remarkable perseverance in seeking justice through proper channels. After filing an RTI application in 2024 to obtain details about the implementation status of the RDO's order, Madhanagopal received unsatisfactory responses that lacked substantive information. This prompted him to escalate the matter through a second appeal to the information commission, ultimately leading to the current disciplinary action.
Commission's Progressive Intervention Timeline
The information commission's involvement followed a structured timeline of interventions:
- Initial Hearing (June 2023): The commission first heard the matter and ordered the then deputy tahsildar to provide complete information within fifteen days.
- Review Phase (July 2023): Upon examining the submitted response, commissioners determined the information remained inadequate and granted an additional thirty-day extension for proper compliance.
- Non-Compliance Petition (January 2024): With no satisfactory response forthcoming, Madhanagopal filed a non-compliance petition, which the commission took up for hearing, resulting in the current disciplinary directive.
Remedial Measures Implemented for Petitioner
In addition to the disciplinary action, the commission has provided concrete relief to the petitioner. The panel has directed the current public information officer and headquarters deputy tahsildar, N Pushparani, to immediately implement the pending RDO order from 2023 and provide all relevant information to Madhanagopal. This dual approach of punishment for negligence and remedy for the affected citizen demonstrates the commission's balanced approach to justice.
Broader Implications for Transparency Governance
This case establishes an important precedent for how Tamil Nadu's information commission handles attempts to obscure information or delay implementation of official orders through the RTI mechanism. The commission's willingness to order departmental action against officials who fail in their transparency obligations sends a strong message about the seriousness with which such matters are treated, potentially deterring similar conduct in other departments across the state.
