Requested land documents not given; Information Commission fines Land Revenue Department

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Information Commission has imposed a fine on the Land Revenue Department. This was after assessing the loss caused due to the applicant not receiving the RTI documents on time. This is the first time in history that the RTI Commission has imposed a fine on a government department. Information Commissioner Dr A Abdul Hakeem directed the Land Revenue Commissioner to transfer Rs 50,000 to the complainant within a month. The order also states that the amount will be recovered from those responsible for the lapse.

The action was taken on the complaint of Douglas E. Years ago, Douglas had applied to the Kollam East Village Office and the Taluk Office, requesting documents related to the mutation of a piece of land in Kollam Taluk. However, the authorities under the Right to Information Act did not grant these. The reply was that the files of the requested documents were lost. A complaint was filed with the Human Rights Commission in this regard. The investigation revealed the negligence of the officials concerned, but no action was taken. Subsequently, the applicant approached the High Court and the court ordered compensation.