Latambarcem p'yat official fined Rs 25,000
PANAJI
In a strongly worded order, the Goa State Information Commission has imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 on a Public Information Officer and directed the parent department to initiate disciplinary proceedings against him, holding that his “gross negligence” and repeated absence from hearings amounted to a serious breach of statutory duty and a denial of citizens’ Right To Information Act.
State Information Commissioner Atmaram Barve passed the order while allowing a second appeal filed by Ashish Parab of Bicholim against the PIO of Village Panchayat Latambarcem.
The Commission found that the concerned PIO, Ashok Naik, had failed to respond within the stipulated 30-day period and had furnished a “Nil” reply to 13 points raised in the RTI application dated March 7, 2025.
“The PIO during course of hearing before the FAA provided a reply to the Appellant as “Nil” pertaining to point No. 1 till point No. 13 of the Appellants RTI application. Based on the same, FAA disposed the First Appeal vide its order dated April 24, 2025,” reads the order as the Commission observed that the officer had acted in an inconsistent manner and submitted false submissions before the First Appellate Authority, resulting in denial of information to the applicant.
“The conduct of the relevant PIO, Ashok Naik is of gross negligence towards his duties entrusted under RTI Act,” the Commission held further noting, “Continuous absenteeism, not filing reply to the Appeal memo for more than 90 days, not replying to the Show Cause Notice have to be seen as nothing less than utter disregard towards RTI Act and the authorities constituted thereunder.”
The order recorded that despite repeated opportunities and notices, the PIO remained absent during multiple hearings and failed to file a reply. A show cause notice had to be issued mandating his presence.
The Commission concluded that the conduct of the PIO, Ashok Naik, has not only caused denial of information but has also brought disrepute to the designation of the PIO and such conduct deserves to be dealt with so as to create a deterrent precedent for other PIOs.
Invoking Sections 20(1) and 20(2) of the RTI Act, the Commission directed the Director of Panchayats to recover the penalty amount of Rs 25,000 from Naik’s salary and allowances on or before March 10, and to initiate disciplinary proceedings for acting against the “letter and spirit” of the RTI Act, 2005.
The present PIO, Subodh Prabhu, has been directed to re-examine the RTI application and provide a pointwise reply, including inspection of relevant documents and certified copies free of cost to the appellant on March 10, during office hours. He has also been directed to record minutes of the proceedings and obtain the appellant’s signature upon completion. The Commission has sought a compliance report to be submitted in person on March 12.
