NT Reporter
Margao
The Goa State Information Commission has directed the state government to formulate a Record Retention Policy under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act for both documentary and electronic records, while also imposing a penalty of Rs 50,000 on the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the panchayat of Majorda, Utorda and Calata for denial of information.
The complaint, filed by panch member Sharlet Fernandes, pertained to information sought regarding CCTV footage from the panchayat. State Information Commissioner Atmaram Barve, in his order, also directed that an inquiry be conducted for non-compliance.
The PIO, Yogesh Fatarpekar, who is also the panchayat secretary, had stated that he did not have easy access to the CCTV system and was therefore not in a position to access or furnish the footage. However, in a previous appeal, the PIO had been directed to provide the information within 10 to 15 days. No material on record suggested that the PIO acted in response to the complainant’s RTI application.
The Commission found that the PIO had caused denial of information, thereby attracting a penalty of Rs 50,000. It directed the Director of Panchayats to recover the penalty from the PIO’s salary and allowances.
The Director of Panchayats was also directed to conduct an inquiry against the
PIO for non-compliance with the Commission’s previous order.
Further, the Commission directed the state government, through the Chief Secretary, to take immediate steps to formulate a Record Retention Policy for documentary as well as electronic records for all authorities concerned under the ambit of the RTI Act in Goa.
