Put details of drive against hawkers outside Haji Ali online: Info panel

The state information commission has asked the collector office to put the details of anti-encroachment drive taken against hawkers and shops on the road leading to Haji Ali Dargah online.

The order, dated January 25, was given by state chief information commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad on an application by Chetan Kothari.

Kothari in his application had sought details of anti-encroachment drive against hawkers and shops on the road leading to the Haji Ali Dargah from the local municipal ward and collector offices.

When the public information officer did not provide any information, Kothari went to file first appeal. The first appellate authority in its order stated that Kothari be provided with an improvised reply and details be given in a week's time.

However, Kothari did not receive any information and instead got threats from people at home as per the order. "I had sought information and after that notices were issued to them. Some of them got to know my details and came to my office to threaten me," said Kothari, who already has a PIL on CRZ violations of a mosque before Dargah.

"I saw some hawkers violating CRZ norms and hence filed the RTI application," claimed Kothari. During the hearing, the commission took strong exception to the information not being provided.

In the order it stated that the information sought is related to transparency and the aim of the RTI Act is to promote transparency. It further stated that the collector office conduct and inquire on why information was not provided and put up all details online. dna could not reach city collector for comments.