The Karnataka Information Commission has directed the Mangalore City Corporation Commissioner to initiate an inquiry against Town Planning Officer D. Balakrishna Gowda for not being able to provide to an applicant documents related to construction of a multi-storeyed building on M.G. Road.
Petitioner K. Prakash Bhat had sought from Mr. Gowda a copy of office noting and access to records related to construction of a building near Empire Mall on M.G. Road on August 14, 2011. As Mr. Gowda failed to provide any information, Mr. Bhat filed a complaint before the information commission.
Mr. Gowda filed a statement in August 2011 followed by a report in April 2012 before the commission that he had not provided information as he had not been able to trace the file indicated in the RTI application. The commission noted in its order of April 26 that the application related to grant of licence for construction of building related to 2004-05. As this was not an old file, the commission directed Mr. Gowda to put in more efforts in searching the file. If he did not find the file, the commission directed Mr. Gowda to file an affidavit stating about the action taken by him in finding the file. It directed the Mangalore City Corporation Commissioner to look into the issue.
On September 14, Mr. Gowda appeared before the commission and pleaded that he had not been able to trace the file. Petitioner Mr. Bhat submitted that the file had been sent in 2008 to Dilip S. Gadiyal, Assistant Town Planning Officer, which had been mentioned in the file movement register. Mr. Gowda confirmed this fact, the commission mentioned in its September 14 order.
Information Commissioner M.R. Pujar ordered an inquiry and disciplinary action by the department.
