CCP served show cause notice

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-10-03
PANAJI - The State Information Commission has issued a show cause notice to the Corporation of the City of Panaji, seeking explanation as to why the CCP should not be penalised with a fine of Rs 250 per day, from June 5, 2008 onwards, for not providing information to one Mr Kashinath Shetye under the Right to Information Act.
The Commission has also taken strong note of the information dissemination at the CCP, under the RTI Act, and passed some remarks against the CCP Commissioner, Mr Melwyn Vaz, who is also the information officer of the Corporation. It has further viewed that Mr Vaz is responsible for either providing wrong information under the Act, or refusing to provide any information.
Furthermore, the State Information Commission, in an order has directed the CCP to pay a compensation of Rs 5,000 to Mr Shetye, from the municipal funds, for its failure to provide adequate information under the Act. The order also states that the Corporation should make available all certificates about the licenses and occupancy as regards shop number 20 and 21 in the Magnum Centre, within 10 days’ time.
The CCP is free to hold its person responsible for the act, and recover the compensation money from him, states the Commission order.
Replying to Mr Shetye’s application under the RTI Act, the CCP had maintained that the information requested was not fully available in the file records, the required copies had been misplaced and whatever information available was stored in the computer.