RTI violation: Karnataka official fined Rs 25,000

Times of India · india

Karnataka Information Commission has fined Gangavathi taluk panchayat assistant director Mahantagouda Patil Rs 25,000 for not providing records sought under the RTI Act. The records pertained to alleged irregularities in material expenditure, stock registers, and payments under MGNREGA works in Bevinahal village between 2015-16 and 2017-18. Patil's contention that he wasn't in the post when applications were filed was rejected. A fire at the gram panchayat office in May 2023 destroyed key records, with the current PDO stating they were lost. A departmental inquiry will now be initiated against Patil.