Haryana Government Directs Recovery of ₹2.94 Crore in Pending RTI Penalties
In a decisive move to reinforce accountability under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Haryana government has issued strict directives for the immediate recovery of outstanding penalties imposed by the State Information Commission. The total amount pending stands at a substantial ₹2,94,87,657, which is to be collected from defaulting State Public Information Officers (SPIOs) across various state departments.
Structured Recovery Mechanism Approved
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi has communicated clear instructions to all administrative secretaries and heads of departments through an official letter, emphasizing a time-bound implementation of the recovery process. To facilitate smooth compliance, the government has approved a structured monthly instalment mechanism instead of a lump-sum recovery approach.
As per the approved schedule, recovery will be effected by Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) directly from the salaries or pensions of the concerned officers. The monthly deduction rates are categorized as follows:
- Class-A Officers: ₹10,000 per month (₹5,000 for retired officers)
- Class-B Officers: ₹7,000 per month (₹3,500 for retired officers)
- Class-C Officers: ₹4,000 per month (₹2,000 for retired officers)
These deductions will continue until the entire outstanding penalty amount is fully recovered.
Special Provisions and Waivers
The government has also clarified specific provisions for exceptional cases. In instances where the concerned SPIO has expired, the penalty will be waived entirely. For serving Sarpanches, recovery will be made at a rate of ₹3,000 per month from their honorarium. Cases involving ex-sarpanches will be referred to the respective deputy commissioners for further action under applicable revenue laws.
Emphasis on Monitoring and Compliance
Administrative secretaries have been instructed to personally oversee the compliance process and submit periodic status reports to the State Information Commission. This step underscores the government's unwavering commitment to transparency and institutional discipline, ensuring that the RTI Act's provisions are upheld effectively.
This initiative marks a significant effort by the Haryana government to address lapses in information disclosure and reinforce the importance of timely responses under the RTI framework. By implementing a systematic recovery plan, the authorities aim to set a precedent for accountability across all state departments.
