PIO given last chance to reply to RTI plea

Public Information Officer (PIO) and joint commissioner of Ludhiana Municipal Corporation AS Shekon has been asked to provide information of an MC official to an RTI activist.

In a case related to providing information of an MC official the State Information Commission has warned the PIO to give information sought by the RTI activist Ravi Sharma.

The RTI activist in August 2011 had sought details of an MC official, BK Gupta, who retired in August this year, but the MC failed in providing the same.

Interestingly, Sharma sought the information last year.

In a recent order of the state information commission it was stated that a written communication from AS Shekon has regretted his inability to attend the hearing on November 22 on account of ill
health.

"It is however observed that no explanation to the show-cause notice issued to Shekon, the PIO, in the hearing on June 12 this year has been received nor has the affidavit as directed in the hearing on September 4 this year been submitted by him," the order stated.

The commission also stated, "In the interest of justice one last opportunity is granted to Shekon to comply with the directions of the commission, as noted possibly by the next date fixed".

The commission has also awarded a compensation of Rs 1,500 in favour of Ravi Sharma due to failure of the MC in providing the information.