Team Herald
MARGAO: The Goa State Information Commission has ordered the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the Majorda-Utorda-Calata village panchayat to conduct a fresh inspection and provide authenticated copies of requested documents free of charge. The Commission, led by Atmaram R. Barve, has set a deadline of February 20 for compliance.
The directive follows a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by Sharlet Fernandes, who sought specific information from the panchayat. The PIO failed to respond within the 30-day period mandated by the RTI Act. During the first appeal process, PIO Custodio Faria provided partial information but stated that certain details were still being processed. Despite this, the first appellate authority dismissed the appeal, deeming the response satisfactory.
Upon review, the Commission found that the PIO had violated Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005, by not responding within the stipulated time, providing incomplete information, and failing to specify when the remaining details would be made available. It ruled that these lapses infringed on the appellant’s right to access information.
The Commission further ordered that in future RTI responses, if any information cannot be provided, the PIO must clearly mention the reasons and relevant provisions of the RTI Act in the initial response. The PIO must also reply to the show-cause notice and submit a compliance report as per the Commission’s orders.