Disciplinary action ordered against FAA for not deciding the appeal under RTI Act
5 Oct, 2013Hearing an appeal filed by Sangeeta Rani, a headmistress in a local school, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has passed strictures against Upkar Singh, former Director Public Instructions (DPI), schools. The CIC recommended immediate removal of Upkar Singh as the First Appellate Authority (FAA), Education Department and ordered disciplinary action against him. The Education Department, Chandigarh Administration has been directed to pay a compensation of Rs 5,000/-.
Sangeeta Rani sought information pertaining to some discrepancy in pay from the District Education Officer (DEO), Chandigarh Administration, on November 11, 2011. Being dissatisfied with the reply, she approached the DPI(S) on December 12, 2011, who was the FAA. Subsequently, in July 2013, despite CIC ordering the DPI to decide Rani's appeal in two weeks, the same was not decided forcing her to again approach the CIC on September 17, 2012.
There has been a quick succession of cases where the CIC has raised questions about the competency of the PIO /FAA and have directed proper training for them. Are the PIO and FAA sufficiently trained to deal with the RTI applications? http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/are-pio-and-faa-sufficiently-trained-deal-rti-appl