PATHANAMTHITTA: State Information Commissioner P N Vijayakumar has said that the Central and State Information Commissioners will soon get the power to declare compensation on erring Government officials who violate the law.
Inaugurating the seminar on Right to Information Act and its achievements, organised by the district information office in association with the district administration as part of the Gandhi Jayanti Week celebrations at collectorate conference hall here on Thursday, Vijayakumar said that steps were taken to give independent powers to the Central and State Information Commissioners to impose fine on those who violate the law.
Vijayakumar said that the applicants, who seeks information under the law, should be treated in a friendly manner.
The Right to Information Act would be a milestone in a democratic system, he said.
To achieve perfection and transparency in a democratic system, the right to information holds a key position, Vijayakumar said.
He said that a major section of the public was still in the dark on the Information Law. The commissioner said that under the law, the information should be made available to the complainant within 30 days.
The law will ensure accountability and best service to the common people, he said.
Action taken against 45 officials: Vijayakumar said that action was taken against 45 Government officials under the law and imposed a fine of Rs 6 lakh during the past four years of its operation.
State Literacy Mission faculty member K Bhaskaran, while presenting a paper, said that the Right to Information Act would go a long way in ensuring transparency in the functioning of the Government departments.
District Collector T T Antony presided over the function.
District Information Officer N Radhakrishna Pillai and Hosur sirasthadar G Raghunatha Pillai spoke.