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The Tamil Nadu Information Commission has issued show cause notice to the then Public Information Officer/District Educational Officer of Kallakurichi district seeking an explanation as to why penalty of ₹25,000 should not be levied on the official for failing to provide information to an RTI Act applicant within the stipulated period. After conducting enquiries with the applicant, S. Kalyanasundaram, through video conferencing on Wednesday, the Commission headed by State Information Commissioner V.P.R. Elamparithi ordered issue of notice to the PIO/DEO J. Dorairaj and directed him to appear in person on November 19 and submit his written explanation. According to sources, the petitioner had filed an application on June 9, 2023 under Section 6 (1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 seeking details of tuition fees fixed (class wise) by the government for private schools; whether the details of government-fixed fees have been displayed in front of each private school; action taken against schools that had failed to do so, and list of schools that had obtained approval for hostels. Since the PIO failed to furnish the requested information, the petitioner filed a first appeal under Section 19 (1) on July 17, 2023 before the First Appellate Authority. Subsequently, the petitioner filed a complaint before the Commission. The Superintendent of the District Education Office (Private Schools) who appeared on behalf of the Chief Education Officer on Wednesday informed that letters were issued to all private school principals and correspondents on June 20 and July 28, 2023 directing them to send the required information to the petitioner. However, the petitioner stated he had received no information so far and requested that penalties be imposed on the PIO. The Commission directed the then PIO/DEO to appear before it in person on November 19 and submit his written explanation. The Commission also directed the CEO to convene a meeting with present and former PIOs (private schools) and all private school heads to conduct an inquiry regarding the petitioner’s RTI application and submit his report to the Commission on November 19. The Commission also directed the PIO to furnish complete information sought by the petitioner along with copies of supporting documents. The information should be furnished free of cost within two weeks of receipt of this order, with proof of dispatch (postal tracking copy) and acknowledgement of receipt from the petitioner and should be submitted to the Commission on November 19.
