Disciplinary action for non- compliance of CIC order

 

Vide order dated 20.09.2017, the CIC had directed the CPIO, Geological Survey of India, Kolkata to provide certain information to the appellant, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order. However, no information was provided and the respondent admitted that, inadvertently, no reply in compliance with the order of the CIC could be furnished to the appellant. The respondent tendered his unconditional apology for this lapse and requested the CIC to condone the same. The CIC took an adverse view of the inaction on the part of the respondent in not responding to its letter dated 08.02.2019 regarding non-compliance of the Commission’s order. This shows that the respondent had deliberately not complied with the Commission’s order. The CIC directed the Director General, Geological Survey of India, Kolkata to take corrective action in the matter. The CIC also recommended disciplinary action against Shri S.C. Bose, the then Assistant Director (Personnel and Administration) and CPIO, RTI Cell, GSI, Kolkata under the service rules applicable to him for not complying with the order of the Commission dated 20.09.2017.

 

Comments

 

Under Section 20(2) of the RTI Act, disciplinary action can be taken against a CPIO for malafide denial of information.

 

Citation: B. K. Bisaria v. CPIO, Geological Survey of India in Appeal No. CIC/YA/A/2016/001876

 

Dr. Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is an expert on RTI matters and has co-authored the books RIGHT TO INFORMATION - LAW AND PRACTICE and PIO’s guide to RTI. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation of India at the link: - Right to Information Act 2005- RTI Foundation of India