Conduct probe against FDA officials who failed to give info on Malvani hooch tragedy

The state chief information commissioner has asked the chief secretary to conduct an inquiry against officials of the State Drugs Controller and Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) after it failed to give information about their action and reports on the Malvani hooch tragedy. The tragedy had claimed over 100 lives.

The order was passed by the state chief information commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad to an application filed by Andheri-based RP Yajurvedi Rao. It was passed on November 16. The applicant had sought to know inspection, panchnama, search and seizure report made, copies of the FIR as applicable against offenders, copies of the samples sent for anlaysis to laboratory, copies of monthly review meetings of the commissioners and action taken at other places as per Poison Act among others.

Slamming the public information officer (PIO) for not providing any information and the first appellate authority (FAA) for not even conducting a hearing, it questioned why no action be taken against them.

The commission order stated that the information sought by the applicant was of "public interest and hence important". It went on to add that the purpose of the RTI Act 2005 is to bring more and more transparency and bring responsibility in the work of the government. Hence, such information keeps a check on the corruption and that having such information on website is important.

Similarly, in this public interest and important matter, the PIO's office has not applied the Poison Act after coming to know that methanol was used in it. Despite making several complaints, no strong action was taken. The commission then directed the chief secretary to conduct an inquiry and present the report to it by December 15.