RTI Act gathers pace in Punjab

[karira]

As reported by Swarleen Kaur in financialexpress.com on 5 July 2008:
RTI-Act-gathers-pace-in-Punjab

RTI Act gathers pace in Punjab

Saturday , July 05, 2008 at 2125 hrs It appears that people of Punjab are slowly realising the power of Right to Information Act (RTI) and are questioning the bureaucratic system of the state. It is evident from the fact that almost every important department in the state has been once penalised for not providing the information under the RTI Act sought by a particular civilian.

As per the data procured from the Punjab State Information Commission (PSIC), departments including Punjab State Electricity Board, rural development department, forest department, medical council of the state, Punjab Technical University, Punjab Financial Corporation, Punjabi University of Patiala, Mandi Marketing Board, directorate of employment, directorate of transport, municipal corporation, Ludhiana had to pay fine for delaying the information sought by candidates. As per the record till date, penalty of worth Rs 8.50 lakh has been paid to 43 cases and compensation of Rs 1.60 lakh has been awarded to 73 cases.

Since its inception in October 2005, PSIC has registered 5,381 complaints and appeals up to May 31, 2008. The commission has disposed off 4,047 complaints and 641 complaints are under active consideration. Besides, 693 cases are pending with the commission. Interestingly, when the RTI Act was introduced in October 2005, the commission received only 20 complaints in following three months.