Commission pulls up officials for not giving information

The State Information Commission (SIC) has directed the Mumbai Repairs and Reconstruction Board (MRRB) to provide details of some flats in certain transit camp buildings to a Santa Cruz resident, after the public information officer (PIO) failed to do so. According to the order, given by Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Ratnakar Gaikwad on August 5, show-cause notices have also been issued to all officers concerned, asking them why action should not be taken against them.

In an application filed in December 2014, Seshnath Pathare had sought information regarding three buildings in transit camps of Vikhroli. The PIO, however, did not give him any details. The first appellate authority asked him to share the details, but still the information was not provided. During the second appeal, the PIO said the information was available with the executive engineer of property management cell, Housing Department.

The CIC order stated that instead of being provided with the information, the applicant was made to run around. It added that Pathare be provided with the information, and if it was not available, be given a detailed explanation.