the goan I network
PANAJI
Revenue department has hiked fees for certified copies to Rs 50 per copy. Whereas, under Right to Information act rules, applicable to all department, every public office should issue documents, by charging Rs 2 per copy.
Challenging this hike Social activist Trajano D’mello and his associate Shambhu Parab has filed a Public interest litigation demanding quashing of the notification issued by revenue department specifying increased rates per documents.
“This hike is to deter common man from seeking information under RTI. It is meant to conceal corruption in the Revenue Department and defeats the entire objective of the RTI Act,” D’Mello said, addressing a press conference on Friday.
Another petitioner Shambhu Parab and the lawyer for the petitioners Rohit Bras D’Sa were also present for the press conference. “I had asked for a document under RTI Act and I was surprised to see that for a 75 page document revenue department charged Rs 3750”, D’mello said.
Stating that the issue is of public importance D’Mello hoped that the issue will be raised in the upcoming session of the Goa legislative assembly by the Opposition.
The hearing on this matter is fixed for February, 4, 2019.
Meanwhile Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte said the government will reply to D’Mello’s plea in the court which will clarify that the department has not hiked the rates.
