2 hrs ago
Keralam Commissioner Warns Action Over Missing RTI Files
T K Ramakrishnan is an official who helps oversee requests for government information.
He warned that offices cannot simply say a file is missing and refuse to answer.
Public authorities must take care of their files and find out who was responsible if one disappears.
They must also provide information within the required time.
During a hearing in Kozhikode, officials were given directions in several complaints.
One office was told to find a missing file, while another was told to send documents by post.
A police station was told to provide requested CCTV footage.
Fifteen complaints were settled, and officials will receive RTI training next month.
Information Commissioner T K Ramakrishnan warned of strict action against officials who cite missing or unavailable files to deny RTI requests.
He said public authorities are responsible for maintaining records and must identify custodians when files go missing.
Officials were told to provide information within the RTI Act’s stipulated period and treat the law positively.
Directions were issued in cases involving Kunnamangalam panchayat, Kozhikode Government Engineering College, Nadapuram police station and the Malabar Devaswom Board.
Fifteen complaints were disposed of during the hearing, and district officials will receive RTI training next month.
- Who
- Keralam Information Commissioner T K Ramakrishnan and officials responsible for handling RTI applications.
- What
- Ramakrishnan warned that strict action could follow when officials fail to provide information by claiming files are missing or unavailable.
- Where
- The sitting was held at the district Collectorate conference hall in Kozhikode, Keralam.
- When
- The warning followed a sitting held on September 8 and was reported in an official statement on Monday; training is planned for next month.
- Why
- To ensure that public authorities maintain records and provide information under the Right to Information Act within the stipulated time.
Key facts
- Official
- T K Ramakrishnan, Keralam Information Commissioner
- Hearing location
- District Collectorate conference hall, Kozhikode
- Complaints disposed
- 15
- Missing-file cases
- Officials were told to trace missing records and identify responsibility for their custody.
- Specific directions
- The Kunnamangalam panchayat was told to trace a file; the engineering college was told to send documents by speed post; and Nadapuram police station was told to provide CCTV footage.
- Malabar Devaswom Board
- The concerned official was instructed to provide information previously denied because it had not been compiled.
- Training programme
- A district-level RTI awareness programme will be organised next month.
Sources
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