In his application to the municipal commissioner's office, he sought a detailed report from the department on his complain and with copy of action taken against the deputy municipal commissioner (R/South ward).
The state information commission, which flayed the Brihanmumbai municipal commissioner's office for treating an RTI application in a "casual manner", has directed the civic chief to probe the matter.
The order was given after an RTI application, which sought information on the complaint against a deputy municipal commissioner, arrived at his office before being forwarded to a junior official. The order, which was served on September 19, was given after a second appeal filed by Kandivali resident Bhavesh Kalia. Kalia had filed a complaint against deputy municipal commissioner Ashok Khaire for threatening him and not taking action on the illegal encroachments by row houses at Thakur Complex in Kandivli (East).
In his application to the municipal commissioner's office, he sought a detailed report from the department on his complain and with copy of action taken against the deputy municipal commissioner (R/South ward).
Instead of furnishing information, the application was sent to the public information officer of the additional municipal commissioner's office. It was then transferred to the PIO of deputy municipal commissioner's (DMC) office, western suburbs. The PIO of DMC's office (western suburbs transferred it to DMC's zone 7's office, who then transferred it to the assistant municipal commissioner of the R/south ward.
Noting that the application was sent to the same person's office against whom the complaint was made, the order by state chief information commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad stated that the conduct of municipal commissioner's office was "laughable" and "serious". It stated that the application was treated in a "casual manner".
Such information, it stated, should have been put up on the public domain suo motu as per section 4 (c) and (d), which states that all relevant facts while formulating important policies or announcing the decisions which affect public along with reasons for its administrative or quasi-judicial decisions to affected persons should be put out on public domain.
When contacted by dna, Kalia said that he had complained against rampant illegal construction in the area. "A number of row houses that are supposed to be for residential use, and has ground plus one floors, were changed to commercial properties and turned into two to three storeyed structures without permission. I had complained about them and instead of taking action, they told me to settle the matter," alleged Kalia.
Kalia added, "I was even threatened and hit a person. I have filed a police complaint and have CCTV proof. I have even lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta.". When contacted by dna, municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta did not respond.
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