Taking serious cognizance of concealing the facts from public, Information Commissioner (IC), Hafiz Usman, heard about 100 cases on Friday and has imposed fine on two of the officers, departmental proceedings against 9 and in four matter, he ordered divisional commissioners to probe the matter within 30days and submit their findings for further necessary action.
Usman also summoned senior officers and warned them of stern action if they would not comply with the Right to Information Act and try to conceal information. He claimed that it was brought to his notice that when the information should be provided within 30-days of filing of application, in many cases the officers not do so even passing of more than two years. He warned that those officers who would not comply with his orders, he might go ahead and issue their arrest orders.
Usman said that he directed the district magistrates that they should attach the receipt of money collected from the defaulters and sent report to him regularly so he could monitor the compliance reports. He said that all the compliance report should reach his office by February 20. Usman said that in one of the case, he got complaint that officers of Mandi Parishad in Moradabad, were not collecting taxes and had formed their over company and smuggling wood after cutting trees from forest areas. The forest employees were also hand-in-gloves with the Mandi Parishad employees.
Usman said that he summoned deputy director of Mandi Parishad, Moradabad, Brijesh Singh, but since the officer ignored several of his reminders, so on Friday, he imposed a fine of Rs 250 per day (Maximum of Rs 25,000), till the officers would not appear with details. He also directed SSP Moradabad, to ensure that Brijesh Singh should appear before him by the next date.