Violation of RTI Act: A.P. Information Commission imposes ₹25,000 penalty on Mines Director

The Andhra Pradesh Information Commission has imposed a penalty of ₹25,000 on the Director of the Mines and Geology Department for negligence in implementing the provisions of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.

As per the order dated May 15, 2026, a copy of which was accessed by The Hindu, State Information Commissioner Chavali Suneel, while hearing a complaint, had directed that action be taken against W.B. Chandrasekhar, who, at the time of the alleged negligence, was Public Information Officer (PIO). He is currently Director and First Appellate Authority in the department.

According to the Commission, the complainant, P. Srinivasa Babu of Visakhapatnam, had sought information under the Act in July 2022. However, the department failed to furnish the same within the statutory 30-day period. Despite appeals, no proper response was provided, prompting the complainant to approach the Information Commission in January 2023.

During inquiry, the Commission noted that repeated directions issued to the officer concerned were ignored. The officer neither appeared personally before the Commission nor provided a satisfactory explanation for the delay. Though the information was eventually furnished after considerable delay, the Commission observed that belated compliance could not justify violation of the Act.

Describing the Act as a cornerstone of democracy, the Commission warned that negligence by officials in implementing the law would invite strict action. It treated the officer’s failure to discharge statutory responsibilities and disregard of Commission directives as serious misconduct warranting penalty.

The Commission directed the Principal Secretary of the Industries and Commerce (Mines) Department to recover ₹25,000 from the salary, or remuneration of Mr. Chandrasekhar, and remit the amount to the government treasury. A compliance report was sought within four weeks.

Mr. Chandrasekhar had retired from regular government service, but was continuing in public service pursuant to his reappointment by the government as Director & First Appellate Authority, Mines & Geology Department, the order copy said.