RTI activist Mehul Haria has raised serious concerns regarding multiple errors and instances of alleged negligence by the State Information Commissioner, Brihanmumbai, in drafting and passing orders on second appeals. In a letter addressed to the Maharashtra Governor, Haria has called for an administrative review of the Commissioner’s performance to identify and rectify these lapses.
The letter, which was also copied to the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, demands a thorough inquiry into the accuracy and reliability of all orders issued by the Commissioner, suggesting that there may be additional discrepancies that are yet to be discovered. SIC officials could not be contacted for their comment.
Haria highlighted several specific errors in his complaint. “The orders incorrectly mentioned the Public Information Officer (PIO) as belonging to the Housing Department, despite the appeals being filed against Anil Shinde, PIO-cum-authorized officer of Zenith CHS Ltd. Additionally, the orders incorrectly named Anand Kamble as the PIO of SRA Bandra, whereas the correct name is Arvind Kamble, as indicated in the “Roznama” of the hearings,” Haria pointed out.
During one hearing, the appellant requested permission to video record the proceedings, a request that was denied by the State Information Commissioner. However, this denial was not documented in the orders, raising concerns about transparency.
“In an order dated October 25, 2024, the Commissioner incorrectly stated that the First Appellate Authority was present during the hearing, despite their absence. A rectification memo issued on November 21, 2024, corrected only the front preface of the order but failed to address another erroneous statement in the sub-paragraph regarding the First Appellate Authority’s presence,” he stated.
The order also inaccurately stated that the First Appellate Authority had not passed the order, despite a written statement submitted during the hearing on October 17, 2024, confirming that the order had indeed been passed.
These repeated errors by the State Information Commissioner raise significant concerns about the efficiency and diligence of an officer entrusted with ensuring justice and transparency. Haria argues that such issues directly impact the credibility of the RTI process and the public’s faith in the system.
Haria’s letter calls for a prompt and comprehensive investigation to restore confidence and ensure accountability within the RTI framework.
