Reported by Thehindu.com on June 25, 2012
The Hindu : NATIONAL / TAMIL NADU : Withholding information: CCC serves notice on TNSTC

The Coimbatore Consumer Cause (CCC) has served a notice on TNSTC stating that if the information was not provided as directed by the State Information Commissioner, a petition would be filed against the corporation under Section 20 of the Right to Information Act for suitable penal action for contempt of the Commission’s order.

The State Chief Information Commissioner, Tamil Nadu had directed the General Manager, TNSTC, to provide the information about the operation of buses clearly and fully under RTI Act.

The TNSTC, during 2010, replied that out of 588 buses they operated, 422 were ordinary town buses being operated in Coimbatore City and provided details of individual buses.

After the bus fare was increased in November 2011, more buses were plied under different categories of services and operation of ordinary buses was reduced drastically.

TNSTC replied that out of 558 buses they operated, 187 buses alone charged ordinary fare. CCC requested for details of individual buses operated in different categories with details. The corporation said details would be provided at a later date.

CCC preferred an appeal with the Appellate Authority on January 23, 2012, stating that though the information was readily available, the Public Information Officer had failed to provide the information. But again, the Corporation said the information would be provided after obtaining the approval from the Regional Transport Offices.

CCC said that the reply was unacceptable. The details of individual town buses operated as ordinary and others and the details of conversion of buses after November 17, 2011 should be readily available with the PIO and Appellate Authority. The conductors were collecting different fares from the public on the instructions of TNSTC officials. They were aware of the details of operations and collections and could not be ignorant of the information. Despite knowing the information, TNSTC was resorting to delaying tactics, it was contended.

Subsequently, CCC filed the second appeal before the State Information Commission requesting suitable directions to provide the information.

The Commission directed the General Manager, TNSTC, Coimbatore, to provide the information clearly and fully vide its order dated March 19, 2012.

Since information was not provided even after three months, now a notice has been sent to TNSTC stating that if information was not forthcoming as already ordered, petition would be filed under Section 20 of RTIA against TNSTC for suitable penal action for contempt of the Information Commission’s order.