World · India Bureau
Karnataka RTI bench clears 3,694 cases, penalizes slow officials
The Kalaburagi bench of Karnataka's Information Commission disposed of nearly 3,700 right-to-information appeals over the past year, while imposing fines on public officials for delays and awarding compensation to aggrieved applicants.
LSN India ·
The Information Commission bench in Kalaburagi has disposed of 3,694 cases during the reporting period, underscoring significant activity in addressing citizen grievances related to access to public information. The disposal reflects the bench's efforts to process a substantial backlog of right-to-information (RTI) applications and related appeals across its jurisdiction.
In its enforcement actions, the commission imposed fines totaling ₹7.78 lakh on 80 public information officers for failing to meet statutory timelines in responding to RTI requests. These penalties reflect the commission's commitment to holding government departments accountable for compliance with transparency regulations.
Beyond punitive measures, the commission also prioritized applicant interests by awarding ₹96,000 in compensation to 35 citizens who had experienced undue delays or denials in accessing public records. The compensation recognizes the hardship caused to residents seeking information held by government bodies.
The figures highlight the dual role of the Information Commission in balancing accountability mechanisms with citizen redressal, as it continues to ensure implementation of the Right to Information Act across Karnataka's Kalaburagi region.