Maharashtra State Information Commission fails to provide data on its own orders

Mumbai: Maharashtra State Information Commission (SIC) does not have information on its own orders that were challenged in courts, an RTI query revealed.

The RTI was filed by city-based activist Anil Galgali seeking details of the orders it had passed that were challenged in courts.

However, desk officer and Public Information Officer of the Commission M Kamble informed Galgali recently that no compiled information was available with the office in this regard.

The Commission also informed him that no special lawyers were appointed to represent it in the court.

Based on the reply, Galgali filed an appeal following which the Appellate Authority B B Gavade issued instructions to the Commission asking it to provide updated information within the next 15 days.

Talking to PTI, Galgali said keeping records of the orders that were challenged in courts is mandatory for the Information Commission but it was shocking to know that it does not have such a data.

"It's extremely disappointing and seems intentional on the Commission's part that it does not keep records of its own orders," he said.

The activist said he has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis and the State Information Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad in this regard.

"I have sought the CM's direction to the Commission to upload all this information on the website and also appoint lawyers to defend their challenged cases," he added.