[HumJanenge] Complaint Lodged To CEC Against Nadia DM Sanjoy Bansal

Dear Sir/Madam,

Kindly read the story published in the News from Nadia ( http://newsfromnadia.com/home.html on 31.03.2011).

You are also kindly requested to forward this message as much as you can "in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority".

 

Link: http://newsfromnadia.com/news-reader/items/complaint-lodged-to-cec-against-nadia-dm-sanjoy-bansal.html

Complaint Lodged To CEC Against Nadia DM Sanjoy Bansal.

NFN NETWORK

 

Kolkata, March 31: Indian Pride, an organization of 'Right to Information' (RTI) Activists in the state, has raised question about credibility of Nadia District Magistrate Sanjay Bansal to function as the District Election Officer (DEO) in connection with conduction of free and fare assembly poll in the district.

Referring to a recent verdict of Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of state Arun Kumar Bhattacharjee, in which he directed the state government to initiate disciplinary action against Mr. Bansal for 'malafidely denying information' under RTI Act, the organization appealed to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and President of India Pratibha Patil to check Mr. Bansal's credibility.

The referred verdict on the RTI complaint given by the CIC bears special significance as his status is equivalent to EC, which in real term raised questions about the officer's integrity and accountability.

In her petition Priyanka Das, Joint Secretary of Indian Pride, has stated that the offence of Mr. Bansal was quite serious because he ignored such an Act which aims to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority.

Moreover, Mr. Bansal failed to prove his 'sincerity' as the CIC observed in his order (No. 1934(3) (Order)–WBIC/RTI/850/08 Dated 06-08-2010), she added.

While the EC is yet to make any observation on the matter, the President of India has referred the case to the Joint Secretary (Coordination & PG), Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.

When contacted Mr. Bansal refused to speak in detail as the matter is 'subjudice'. However, he stated that the Kolkata High Court has given a stay order on the matter.

According to records of CIC office, while working as the Additional District Magistrate (General) in South 24-Parganas during August last year, Bansal failed not provide information to a RTI petitioner (Shri Samar Ketan Ghosh of Falta, South 24-Parganas) about the "misappropriation of government fund for illegal construction on a disputed land".

The CIC was extremely displeased on Bansal as he "shown utter disregard to the provision of RTI Act" and failed to "prove his sincerity" despite the show cause notice. The CIC also stated that Mr. Bansal failed to act "Diligently and reasonably to furnish information".

However, Mr. Bansal said: "The time provided for the reply was not enough."

The impact of his denial of information was so serious that the CIC in his order directed the Personnel and Administrative Reforms department of the state government to take necessary action in the matter. The CIC also turned down a request of Mr. Bansal to reconsider his order.

Petitioner Priyanka Das said: "The incident amply raised doubts about his integrity and accountability because denying information under RTI in other term is an utter disregard to the objective of the act which, as per it's preamble, ensures access to information under the control of public authority in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority.

Regards,

RTI Activist