PIOs warned of action over delay in response

Interacting with PIOs in Thanjavur, Kumar, who settled as many as 20 litigations, asked them to be polite when petitioners approach them with RTI queries.

“Try to provide the details as soon as they (petitioners) approach. It is the duty of the officials to provide the information sought,” he said.

Stating that it was mandatory to respond within 30 days of the request, the SIC said the officials would face departmental action if they failed to reply within the time frame. “If you fail to provide the information sought, the petitioner may appeal in the courts. This should be avoided at all costs,” he said.

Kumar said that each government office should have details of the Public Information Officer, including his name, designation and contact number. “Officials in-charge should read thoroughly the petition as soon as they receive it and initiate action,” he said.

“Many officials don’t read the petition and provide the information promptly, thinking it is their duty to protect the documents. Many RTI petitions are filed seeking information from the Revenue department,” he said. District collector A Annadurai, DRO N Sakthivel and other officials were present during the interaction.