OLD GOA
Want to get a copy of the video recording of the gram sabha under the RTI Act, then be prepared to pay a whopping Rs 7500.
That’s exactly the amount that was asked by the Santa Cruz panchayat secretary to the applicant Elsa Dias, who had applied for the copy of the recording of the February gram sabha.
When questioned on the issue, Dias informed that she was asked Rs 7,500 to pay for the copy of the video recording of the gram sabha.
“I do not know on what basis such a huge amount is being sought,” Dias informed.
Meanwhile, with the panchayat facing a backlash from the public over the issue, the panchayat secretary has now written to the deputy director of panchayats seeking clarification on the amount to be levied.
Incidentally, the amount that is being levied is the amount that has been paid by the panchayat to the videographer and questions are being asked whether there is provision under RTI Act to levy such amount.
