22 months after RTI filed, officials yet to provide info

This, even after official slapped with fine and asked to furnish data by November 25, 2013

Although it was slapped with a fine Rs.25,000 for failing to furnish information under the Right To Information (RTI) Act, Hyderabad District Education Department is yet to fully comply with an order passed by the A.P. Information Commission (APIC).

Hearing the case (7431/SIC-IA/2012) on October 21, 2013, the APIC had set a deadline of November 25, 2013 for the department’s Assistant Director to furnish complete information and also pay the fine.

However, neither was the penalty amount paid, nor was the information provided.

The case was heard after the RTI applicant, K.N. Sai Kumar of Ziyaguda, complained that the department failed to provide information despite multiple applications. In an RTI application dated April 24, 2012, he had sought to know from HDED regarding the implementation of sections 4, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 of the Right to Education Act.

This information is pertaining to funding and the education of underprivileged children.

“Apart from fine, the officials concerned of the department were asked to let me physically inspect the records and provide information,” Mr. Sai Kumar claimed.

But more than two months later, department officials are yet to provide information.

Official reacts

Reacting to the issue, District Education Officer A. Subbareddy said, “The information is very voluminous and so the applicant has been asked to come and physically inspect the files. However, he had come without properly intimating us. He needs to send a letter first and then come down.”

He also said that since the official concerned has to pay fine from his salary, he would be doing so in instalments.