THANJAVUR MUNICIPAL COMMISSIONER Vs. T RAMACHANDRAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In W.P.No.21177 of 2006, the petitioner, who was the Municipal Commissioner of Thanjavur Municipality, has come forward to challenge the order, dated 21.4.2006, wherein by which the second respondent the Information Commission held that for the information provided by the petitioner, there was an inordinate delay of 66 days. Therefore, the petitioner will have to pay Rs.16,500/- plus an additional fine of Rs.250/- per day from the date of the order till the date on which information was supplied. The Director of Municipal Administration was also recommended to take disciplinary action against the petitioner. The Secretary to Government was also directed to keep a watch over the proceedings and inform the Commission accordingly.

(2.) The ground taken by the petitioner was that the petitioner was not responsible for any delayed information and no show cause notice was given to him before penalty was imposed on him. The writ petition was admitted on 6.7.2006 and an interim stay was also granted.

(3.) In W.P.No.29651 of 2008, the petitioner was an Executive Officer of Vadavalli Town Panchayat. He has come forward to challenge the order of the first respondent Information Commission, dated 22.10.2008 and the consequential proceedings, dated 28.11.2008. By the impugned order, dated 22.10.2008, the Commission held that the Director of Town Panchayat should charge sheet the petitioner under Rule 17(b) of the Tamil Nadu Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules and also to collect a maximum penalty of Rs.25000/- and in addition to same, they were asked to supply the information asked for by the applicant.