Getting it wrong: KSIC provides erroneous information to RTI query

Bengaluru: The goal of Karnataka State Information Commission (KSIC) is to promote transparency and account ability in the working of every public authority. But even KSIC can go wrong while replying to a right to information (RTI) application.

This correspondent has sought information on the number of employees and the amount being spent towards their salaries during the last five years (year-wise from 2016). The application was filed on September 15 by duly attaching a Postal Order for Rs 10 (54F 241807). KSIC received the RTI application on September 17.

It was shocking to see the documents sent by the KSIC. It sent the certified copies of documents pertaining to vehicles at its disposal. The information is about 13 vehicles. The documents have the details of the registration of numbers of those vehicles, owner name of the vehicles (Karnataka State Chief Secretary for two Toyota cars - KA01GB0066 and KA01GA6000 - and other details such as manufacturing date, fuel and fitness certificate (FC).. The covering letter is signed by the Under Secretary and Public Information Officer of Karnataka State Information Commission, the documents are attested by the respective branch officer of the KSIC. RTI activists are up in arms against the KSIC apathy and negligence to provide authentic information.

“The KSIC is expected to make other government departments provide information to the RTI applicants. The KSIC’s responsibility is to ensure transparency among the government departments while providing information to the applicants under the RTI Act. I want the KSIC Commissioner to take stringent action against the Under Secretary and Public Information Officer for sending wrong infor mation,’’ said Sai Datta, a RTI activist.

Coming down heavily on the KSIC for sending wrong information , Veeresh BH, a RTI activist, has described it as a perfunctory attitude of the KSIC authorities towards the RTI applicants. “It shows the KSIC administration in a poor light. I want the KSIC authorities to send correct information to the applicant and also act tough against those responsible for wrong information,’’ said Veeresh.

Expressing the similar opinion, Kalidasa Reddy, a RTI activist from Kallahalli has opined that the KSIC should and must have dedicated and efficient staff to avoid sending or delaying information to the applicants. “Most of the employees working at the KSIC are not serious about their responsibilities. I want the KSIC to fill up vacancies, if there are any, to become more efficient,’’ Reddy said.

Blaming the KSIC for providing wrong information, HM Venkatesh, a social activist from Judicial Layout, has said that some of the employees, including a few Information Commissioners, do not know how to give proper direction or information to the public. “It is unfortunate to have such inefficient employees at the KSIC. What applicants can expect from them while appealing against the gover nment of ficers for delaying the information?’’ asks Venkatesh.