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Two former MCD Deputy Commissioners fined

Staff Reporter

Delay in supplying information sought under RTI Act

NEW DELHI: The Central Information Commission (CIC) in a recent decision has imposed penalty on two former Deputy Commissioners (South Zone) of Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Ajay Kumar and S.K. Bhandari, for delay in supplying the information sought under the Right to Information Act 2005.

Stating that there has been clear violation of the mandated time period to provide information, the two officers have been fined Rs.5,000 for 20 days period and Rs.15,000 for 60 days period respectively.

Appellant Khem Chand had sought information on March 9, 2006 under the Act and the same was provided to him only on June 26, 2006. The CIC has noted that even if Khem Chand is satisfied with the response, there is a clear violation of the mandated time period.

Mr. Kumar explaining his position in the case and the cause for delay had said that he was "tied down either with hearings or with supervision of demolition on a daily basis, which resulted in his inadvertent delay in responding to the application.''

Mr. Bhandari has also claimed that his reason for delay was the fact that he has done maximum sealing and demolition action in MCD South Zone as per the directions of the Monitoring Committee appointed by the Supreme Court and High Court of Delhi.

He added that he also had to give reply to the Central Bureau of Investigation and other investigating agencies about those engineers who have been dismissed from the MCD South Zone and besides all these activities he also had daily routine work of a Deputy Commissioner.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bhandari has been directed to appear before Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah on March 19 with the complete file to specify the various aspects for the delay and the other officials responsible for the same.

The order also notes that in the next hearing, officers so identified will also appear to show cause why penalty should not be imposed upon them.

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