penalties under RTI Act

[vpjain]

I feel penalties stipulated for erring officials are soft, as is evident from the flouting of the directions contained in the act by withholding information sought by the public thus frustrating the purpose of the act viz. for bringing transparency in the working of various govt. departments of the government.

[ganpat1956]

Shifted from "New Member Introduction".

[vijendra singh]

Penalties are not soft ; but the info commissioners are biased , irresponsible , afraid of govt. That is why only 0.001 % erring officers paid the penalties. This bad situation is on a/c of the bureaucratic evils of the govt.

[vpjain]

i.e. laws are ok but implementation is bad this leads to pressing need of implementation of official accountability. For an irresponsible or unreasonable act of govt official the affected person is compelled to run from pillar to post getting relief when due to length of time taken in obtaining relief it is purposeless,also the courts are helpless in getting implemented directions issued against the government for such cases which are many there ought to be provisions self contained wherein such official if complained against be made to pursue the matter as would a ordinary citizen without the usual protection of act done in pursuance of duty which is taken for granted as bona fide. The number of disciplinary actions recommended to be taken against erring officials under the rti act would show how far the objects of the act have been achieved.It should be also accepted that too many laws point to bad governance.Thus the only way to get things done is first to get the govt.organs in public dealing to be fully accountable for acts done in the course of duty.