AHMEDABAD: Many a time basic information that should be provided by a government office to citizens regarding project works - housing, civic utilities, income schemes - are deliberately withheld for dubious reasons or simply for harassing an RTI applicant. In one such case, the Gujarat information commission, has taken a tough stance against a public authority and has even gone to the extent of imposing a heavy fine if the officer does not give a valid reason for the exceptional delay in parting with information.
Three years ago, applicant Mallika Sarabhai sought details of housing for the economically weaker sections ( EWS) in Ahmedabad by Ahmedabad Urban Development authority (AUDA). The information pertained to the Rs 500 crore JNNURM funds that were allotted for the construction of more than 20,000 houses for the poor. Sarabhai also sought details of the different heads under which JNNURM funds had been spent for the year 2009. Read more
Source : articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
