Two replies to as many queries under the Right to Information Act from the Local Fund Audit Department and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department have flummoxed activists.
In his petition to the Local Fund Audit Department, Vellalore resident and activist J. Daniel Yesudas has sought details of reports for audit conducted from October 2011 to January 2018 in the Coimbatore Corporation. And, he wanted the reports initialled and sorted year-wise.
He had filed the RTI query on January 2, 2018.
In response to his query, the Deputy Director, Local Fund Audit Department, for Coimbatore Corporation replied on January 18 that since the nature of the details sought for fell under third party information and held in fiduciary capacity, his office would not be able to furnish those.
He also said that the replies fell under Section 8 (1)(j) and 8 (1)(g) and quoted a court order to substantiate his denial of information.
Section (1)(j) of the RTI Act states that Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen - information which relates to personal information the disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest, or which would cause unwarranted invasion of privacy of the individual unless the Central Public Information Officer or the State Public Information Officer or the appellate authority, as the case may be, is satisfied that the larger public interest justifies the disclosure of such information.
And, Section (1)(g) states: information, the disclosure of which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person or identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence for law enforcement or security purposes.
Commenting on the reply, Mr. Daniel said the objective seemed to be to not disclose the information. It was an audit report and meant for public scrutiny for what was audited was public money by the Coimbatore Corporation.
In his reply to RTI query by MDMK leader and activist V. Eswaran, the HR&CE Department’s Commissioner said it did not have the details related to the extent of temple tanks, water holding capacity, the last date of rejuvenation, and the money spent for the purpose.
He also said the Department maintained 2,359 temples and if the petitioner wanted details related to the temples, he could obtain those by specifying the temples.
Mr. Eswaran said what else could be the purpose of the department other than protecting and maintaining temple properties.
