Thursday, March 10, 2011

Punjab Information Commission imposes Rs.80,000 fine of Mohali DEO for defying RTI Act

MOHALI: The District Education Officer (elementary) Mohali Surjit Kaur has faced the ire of State Information Commission for denying inforamtion to six applicants under RTI Act. The Commission has fined her Rs.87,825 for the lapse.

Surjit Kaur who was earlier posted in the office of DPI(Secondary) was found guilty by the SIC which directed the education department to deduct the fine amount from the salary of Surjit Kaur. Education department has also withdrawn D.D.O. powers from the District Education Officer (E) and handed over to D.E.O. (secondary).
Education department has directed D.E.O. (Secondary) to recover the fine from the salary of Surjit Kaur. The department has asked the DEO(Secondary) to deduct the salary and deposit in treasury and also present its receipts in the SIC.

It is pertinent that, the case came to the notice of Punjab state information commission last month that Surjit Kaur didn't reply to RTI applications submitted by six persons. The complaints moved the State Election Commission and brought to the matter on record.
Whereas D.E.O. (secondary) Harbans Singh informed that deduction of fine from her salary has already started. The department has also banned any further salary benefits on DEO (E) till the fined amount is recovered.

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