The penalty stipulations of RTI Act, 2005 are mandatory
6 Nov, 2013Ref: Compensation for delay of 14 months in providing evaluated answer-scripts by UGC – Respondent: legal opinion took time - backlog of RTI applications cleared in phases – CIC: delay was not deliberate - token compensation of Rs. 1000/- u/s 19(8)(b) In its decision, the Central Information Commission or State Information Commission, as the case may be, has the power to require the public authority to compensate the complainant for any loss or other detriment suffered; http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/compensation-delay-14-months-providing-evaluated-a
Comment: With due reverence to the decision of the CIC, it is respectfully submitted that, the penalty stipulations of RTI Act, 2005 are mandatory and it would have been appropriate for the Hon'ble IC to award the maximum penalty of Rs.25,000/- only. If it was a system failure the penalty should have been charged to the Public Authority and not to any particular individual.
This is my view and every learned soul is free to have his independent view. Incidentally the RTI Act, 2005 IS THE ONLY RAY OF HOPE OF LAITY FOR ROOTING OUT THE CANCER OF CORRUPTION FROM OUR SOCIETY.
P S Sawhney