Can’t provide information on water bodies… Are the officers supporting encroachments?

A petitioner from Chengalpattu district received a reply to a petition filed under the Right to Information Act regarding encroachment of water bodies in the village saying that the details could not be given to the individual as it is government land.

In an RTI reply dated June 1, for the question, “What is the type of land in Field No. 116 in Padur village, Thiruporur circle, Chengalpattu district?”, the reply can be seen as “The petitioner is informed that it is not possible to provide any information to the individual in the public interest in this regard as the field number requested is the government land”.

Next, for the question, “Has any action been taken on the complaint lodged on the encroachment of water bodies in the field numbered 116?” received a reply “No information available for this.”

Also, “How many drainages/canal connections are in this field number?

Is there a well in this field number? Is the well licensed to draw water? If so, in whose name and for what period? Who is the officer in charge of protecting the water bodies of the village? What are the name, office address and telephone number of the officer currently in charge of the job? To which authority should a complaint about encroachment in the water bodies, and evidence be provided? to these questions raised,  “The petitioner is informed that it is not possible to provide any information to the individual in the public interest in this regard as the field number requested is the government land”, replied on behalf of The Thiruporur Public Information Officer.

The petition to RTI seeking information on the encroachment on land and water bodies in the village is refused claiming that it is government land and is a blatant violation.

According to the Right to Information Act 2005 Guideline issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Public Information Officer is liable to a fine of Rs. 250 per day till he provides the proper answer when he refuses to do so in any way.

Further, the petitioner has filed an appeal seeking action against the Information Officer under Sections 20 (1), 20 (3), 20 (5) of the Right to Information Act 2005 for failing to comply with the rules and to provide the requested information.

Most of the encroachments here take place on government outlying lands and in water bodies. However, the Public Information Officer has stated that it is not possible to provide details of government land to an individual and there is not even a formal answer to any question. This raises the suspicion of a planned attempt to cover up the encroachments.

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