Team Goemkarponn
MAJORA: The Public Information Officer (PIO) of the Majorda-Utorda-Calata village panchayat has been directed by the Goa State Information Commission to carry out a new examination and offer certified copies of the requested documents at no cost.
The deadline for compliance has been set at February 20 by the Commission, which is headed by Atmaram R. Barve.
The directive comes after Sharlet Fernandes submitted a Right to details (RTI) complaint, asking the panchayat for certain details. The RTI Act’s 30-day response deadline was missed by the PIO.
PIO Custodio Faria gave some information during the initial appeal procedure, but he clarified that some details were still being examined. The first appellate body dismissed the appeal in spite of this, finding the response adequate.
After reviewing the case, the Commission concluded that the PIO had breached Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 by failing to provide the necessary information, failing to answer within the allotted time, and failing to indicate when the remaining details will be made accessible.
It determined that the appellant’s right to obtain information was violated by these lapses.
The Commission further mandated that the PIO shall explicitly state the reasons and pertinent RTI Act requirements in the initial answer if any information is not available in subsequent RTI responses.
In accordance with the Commission’s directives, the PIO must also respond to the show-cause notice and file a compliance report.
