Andhra Pradesh Information Commissioner imposes ₹20,000 penalty on PIO for RTI delay
The Andhra Pradesh Information Commission has penalized a Public Information Officer (PIO) ₹20,000 for failing to provide requested information under the RTI Act for over three years. The Commission rejected the officer's excuses regarding staff turnover and ordered the recovery of the fine from his salary.
Why it matters
This case highlights the enforcement of transparency laws and the accountability of government officials in responding to public information requests.
Andhra Pradesh Information Commissioner Rehana Begum has imposed a penalty of ₹20,000 on a Public Information Officer (PIO) for failing to provide information sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act within the stipulated time.
RTI activist A. Chengal Rayulu of Tirupati rural mandal had filed an application in November 2022 seeking information under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act relating to the Office of Printing, Stationery and Stores Purchases in Vijayawada. As the information was not furnished within 30 days, he approached the State Information Commission in December 2022.
During a hearing on August 24, Mr. Rayulu informed the Commission that he had not received the information even after more than three years. The Commission noted that S. Zaheer, Assistant Director and the PIO who had received the application in 2022, was continuing in the same position.
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