Hyderabad, True Times India: The Telangana Information Commission has issued a stern warning to the Regional Joint Commissioner (RJC) of the Endowments Department, Ramakrishna, for attempting to withhold details regarding corruption allegations and criminal cases. The Commission cracked the whip by ordering the immediate release of information requested under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Background
RTI activist Lakshman Rao had filed an application seeking details of FIRs and criminal cases registered against officials and employees of the Endowments Department over the last 20 years. However, the Regional Commissioner had previously issued orders refusing to provide this information.
Key Observations by the Commission
RJC Ramakrishna personally appeared before the Information Commission during the hearing of this matter. Dismissing the arguments of the respondent, the Commission issued the following key directives:
Public Interest: The Commission clarified that there is a vast public interest involved in the information requested by Lakshman Rao.
Cancellation of Orders: The Commission struck down the previous orders issued by the RJC stating that the information could not be provided.
Deadline: According to the provisions of the Right to Information Act, clear instructions were issued to provide all relevant details to the applicant within 30 days.
Social activists believe that this verdict serves as a warning to officials who are blocking the release of details regarding cases that have been pending in the Endowments Department for years.
Would you like me to help you draft a follow-up RTI query or a formal letter based on this development?
0 Comments