Denial of RTI: SIC pulls up Social Welfare Dept, orders action against PIO, appellate authority

PANAJI
In a stinging indictment of official apathy, the Goa State Information Commission has ordered the Director of Social Welfare to recover a penalty of Rs 25,000 from the salary of the concerned Public Information Officer (PIO) for “gross misconduct” that led to the denial of information under the Right to Information Act.
The order, passed by State Information Commissioner Atmaram Barve, also directed the department to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the First Appellate Authority (FAA) for having failed to take up the first appeal filed by the original applicant, Anthony da Piedade Fernandes.
Coming down heavily on the department, the Commission observed that the appeal “exposes the apathy of the official of the Directorate of Social Welfare, Government of Goa, towards discharging the duties in terms of the RTI Act 2005.”
Despite repeated opportunities, both the PIO and the FAA failed to appear before the Commission or file any reply. The Commission noted that even after a show cause notice was issued directing their presence, the officials remained absent.
“In spite of having been given ample opportunities, the FAA as well as the PIO have chosen not to file any reply, thereby displaying their utter disregard and disrespect towards the very essence of the RTI Act,” the order states.
“Such a conduct; if left unattended, shall set a wrong precedent and discourage common citizens from getting rightful access to the desired information,” the order further stated as it warned of the wider consequences of such conduct.
Allowing the second appeal, the Commission directed the Director of Social Welfare to intimate the names of the relevant PIO and FAA responsible by February 20.
It further ordered that a penalty of Rs 25,000 be recovered from the salary and allowances of the concerned PIO for gross misconduct, with the recovery to be completed by March 10. A compliance report must be submitted before the Commission on March 12.
In addition, the Director has been directed to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the FAA for failing to take up the first appeal. The inquiry is to be completed by March 10, with a detailed report to be submitted to the Commission.
The Commission also ordered that a detailed point-wise reply to the RTI application dated February 3, 2025 be furnished free of cost to the appellant by March 10.