Question : IMPOSITION OF PENALTY

(a) whether a study by Public Cause Research Foundation has found that Information Commissioners across the country have caused a loss of Rs.86 crore during 2009-10 by not imposing penalties in cases of delay in providing information;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for not imposing the penalties;

(c) whether the loss is actually much higher since the study has not examined other provisions where penalties could be imposed; and

(d) if so, the steps being taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to tackle this issue?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER`S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

(a) to (d): Government is aware that some organizations have conducted surveys/studies on issues related to RTI from time to time. However, in the absence of information regarding objectivity of the surveying organization, research methodology and survey design and scheme for data collection and its verification, it is not considered prudent to comment on their findings.