CIC, New Delhi warns Tehsildar and accepts un-conditional apology for providing delayed information
JAMMU APRIL-27-2023:- In a significant order, a Bench of Central Information Commission, New Delhi headed by Y.K. Sinha Chief Information Commissioner has warned the then Tehsildar Bhalwal Amit Upadhayay for providing delayed information to the information seeker Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed who had moved an RTI application dated 07.04.2021 seeking information with regard to the State Land comprised in Khasra No. 1789 situated in Village Ghaink Tehsil Bhalwal under the illegal occupation of former Deputy C.M. Kavinder Gupta. While expressing displeasure over the conduct of then Tehsildar Bhalwal, the Chief Information Commissioner directed that such lapses in future will attract necessary penal action as per the RTI Act 2005. The CIC while disposing of the second appeal filed by Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed on 20/01/2023 had issued an explanation to Amit Upadhayay the then Tehisldar Bhalwal Jammu to justify the delay in supplying the information to the information seeker and the CIC had also directed as to why penal action be not initiated against him for violation of the mandated timeline as provided under the RTI Act, 2005.
The then Tehsildar Bhalwal Amit Upadhayay filed his reply to the Show Cause notice and tendered unconditional apology for delay in providing the information to the appellant Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed. He further requested the CIC that his explanation may be accepted and the Show Cause proceedings against him may be dropped.
The Chief Information Commissioner Y.K. Sinha after considering the explanation of then Tehsildar Bhalwal Amit Upadhyay observed and directed that in view of the explanation on the violation of the RTI Act is condoned on this occasion and the Show Cause proceedings against him is hereby dropped. However the CIC while expressing displeasure warned Amit Upadhayay, the then Tehsildar Bhalwal that such lapses in future will attract necessary penal action as per the RTI Act,2005. JNF