Latest news with #RighttoInformation
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
FGG flags building convention centres near Hyderabad's Gandipet in violation of GO 111; municipality claims no records, forum urges CM Revanth Reddy to act
The Forum for Good Governance has raised concerns over the construction of convention centers near Gandipet lake in Hyderabad, alleging violations of GO 111 HYDERABAD: In apparently a breach of govt order (GO) 111 prohibiting construction around catchment area of Gandipet lake, many convention centres are being built in the area. The issue has been flagged by the Forum for Good Governance (FGG), which said that the Narsingi Municipality has been giving evasive replies to Right to Information (RTI) application seeking information on permission status for these convention centres. "Records do not exist" was the cryptic response by the municipality on whether Neo Convention, Aarya Convention and K Convention applied for or received permission for construction, the FGG said. In its written reply, the Narsingi Municipality stated: "It is to inform that as per the available records, the said constructions were completed way back in the then gram panchayaths and the building permission details are not handed over to Narsingi Municipality during the merging." FGG flags violations In a letter addressed to chief minister A Revanth Reddy, the FGG raised serious objections to the construction of these facilities within 500 metres of the Gandipet lake in violation of GO 111. The letter signed by FGG president M Padmanabha Reddy pointed out that while some of the convention centres were already operational for over a year, others were still under construction. The forum also included maps and photographs of the sites located in Zanwada village of Shankarpally mandal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo "The gram panchayat of Zanwada has said that nobody approached them and no permission to any construction of convention centres was given," the letter to the CM read. FGG also questioned the absence of house numbers or property tax records for the buildings. "If they were constructed long back, there should have been proper house numbers and regular property tax should have been collected," the letter stated. CM intervention sought FGG urged the CM to initiate a detailed inquiry into the matter, identify officials who allowed the construction to proceed without due process and demolish all illegal structures near the lake. The forum stressed the need to protect Gandipet lake ecosystem and uphold the norms set out in GO 111.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
RTI victory for JAC at PGI: CPIO directed to provide info in 30 days
Chandigarh: In a significant development at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, the first appellate authority (FAA) has directed the chief public information officer (CPIO), Vigilance Cell, to furnish information sought under Right to Information (RTI) Act, free of cost, within 30 days. The order follows a complaint filed by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of PGI over denial of RTI information. The JAC had sought details of cases referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from January 1, 2020, onward, specifically those related to fraudulent withdrawal of medicines, drugs, and surgical items on forged indents in the Prime Minister's Grant case. However, the CPIO rejected the application, stating that the JAC did not qualify as a "citizen" under Rule 3 of the RTI Act, 2005. In response, the JAC filed a first appeal dated May 24, 2025, before the FAA, requesting immediate disclosure of the information and enforcement of suo moto publication of such details on PGIMER's website under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act. They also called for imposition of a penalty of Rs 250 per day for delay in providing information, as prescribed under Section 20 (1) of the Act. Dr Sunil K Gupta, chief vigilance officer and first appellate authority, issued a detailed ruling directing the CPIO to provide the requested information within 30 days and ensure its publication on the official website of the institute. He observed that the original case file was examined and the CPIO's technical objection—based on a narrow interpretation of the term "citizen"—was not tenable in light of prevailing legal precedents. "The CPIO, Vigilance Cell, is directed to provide requisite information as per rule to the applicant within 30 days, free of cost, and also ensure suo moto disclosure of the information on the website of PGIMER," stated Dr Gupta in the order. The FAA also referenced a Central Information Commission (CIC) ruling dated January 7, 2025, which clarified that office-bearers of associations, unions, and other collective entities are entitled to seek information under the RTI Act on behalf of their organisations. This legal precedent played a crucial role in the decision to allow the JAC's application. A copy of the order has been sent to the system analyst, computer cell, PGIMER, for prompt uploading of relevant information on the institution's website. MSID:: 121956868 413 |
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
RTI revelation exposes massive over-allocation of Hidkal dam water to industries
Belagavi: In a significant development that could intensify the ongoing opposition to the diversion of Hidkal Dam water to industries in Hubballi-Dharwad, activist and whistleblower Sujit Mulgund unveiled official documents revealing that industrial units received nearly 22 times more water than the original allocation. Mulgund shared a letter from the assistant executive engineer of the Karnataka Niravari Nigam Limited (KNNL), CBC subdivision No. 2, dated July 6, 2024. The letter, addressed to the executive engineer, discloses that only 0.1 tmcft of water was initially allocated to industries under the project report. However, the allocation surged to 0.2 tmcft gradually, and there is an additional fresh demand of 0.5 tmcft under the Bengaluru-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project, part of the Suvarna Karnataka Corridor initiative. Crucially, the letter indicates that the excess allocation already far surpassed the sanctioned limit. If the additional 0.5 tmcft is approved, it would come at the cost of irrigation water meant for farmers, a point likely to fuel further unrest among farming communities. Last month, the Karnataka govt approved the controversial diversion of 0.5 tmcft from Hidkal Dam to industrial areas in Hubballi-Dharwad, sparking widespread protests across Belagavi and neighbouring districts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Farmers and civil society groups decried the move, arguing it threatens their livelihood and violates the dam's original purpose. Earlier, water resources minister MB Patil claimed that the water being diverted was within the allocated limits. However, Mulgund's findings—obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act—contradict the minister's statement. Pipeline construction for the water diversion began over four months ago—without formal approval, tenders, or even informing the local administration, including district minister Satish Jarkiholi. The work only came to light when local farmers discovered pipelines being laid across their fields. In response, several organisations launched protests under the slogan 'Namma Neeru, Namma Hakku', prompting the Belagavi DC to halt the work temporarily. Despite the opposition, the project resumed following a green signal from the state cabinet. Activist Mulgund sought further details under RTI—including the tender cost, official approvals, and progress reports—but KNNL denied the information, citing confidentiality. Constructed in 1961 and named after former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Hidkal dam was built to provide irrigation and drinking water. Though it has a storage capacity of 51 tmcft, effective availability is only around 44 tmcft due to siltation and unusable reserves. Speaking to the TOI, Mulgund criticised the lack of transparency. "The RTI documents clearly prove that more water has already been diverted to industries than originally sanctioned. Any additional diversion will directly impact farmers in Belagavi, Bagalkot and Vijayapura," he said.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Whistleblower Gram Panchayat member killed by land mafia
NAGPUR: A 30-year-old Gram Panchayat member and BJP leader was brutally murdered on Tuesday morning in Saoner tehsil, allegedly by individuals linked to the land mafia. The victim, Atul Patil, was stabbed to death at Pipla, which falls under the jurisdiction of Khaparkheda police station in the district. Patil, a vocal whistleblower who had exposed several land scams, had filed multiple complaints against illegal land dealings, including schemes orchestrated by village sarpanch Vishnu Kokadde, a Congress leader and a close associate of former Maharashtra minister Sunil Kedar. The murder has sparked outrage and raised political temperature in the region, especially as the Zilla Parishad (ZP) elections are near. The police have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder - Himanshu Kumbhalkar, 19, who is the prime accused, and Vishnu Kokadde, 41, who had previously faced charges of forgery and cheating in a ZP land allotment scam exposed by Patil. According to police sources, Patil had used the Right to Information (RTI) Act to uncover fake documents used to develop unauthorised layouts. His complaints led to the registration of cases against Kokadde, a Gram Panchayat secretary, and others. It is alleged that Kokadde and his wife, former Nagpur Zilla Parishad president Muktabai Kokardde, misused their political influence to issue fraudulent No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and earn crores of rupees through illegal land deals. Senior Inspector Arvind Katlam of Khaparkheda police station revealed that Kumbhalkar had called Patil out of his house under the pretext of resolving an old dispute. 'As Patil stepped outside, he was ambushed. A brief scuffle broke out, but Kumbhalkar overpowered him and stabbed him multiple times,' said Katlam. Patil was rushed to a nearby private hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Both accused were produced in Saoner court, where Kumbhalkar was remanded to police custody till June 21 and Kokadde till June 19, for further investigation. The murder is also believed to be linked to the political rivalry between Patil and Kokardde in the area. However, police officials maintain that the land scam exposure appears to be the main motive. BJP leaders staged a 'rasta roko' protest demanding swift justice and immediate arrest of all those involved in the conspiracy. The agitation was led by local MLA Ashish Deshmukh and district president Manohar Kumbhare, who accused the authorities of failing to protect a whistleblower. Deshmukh has also demanded that the case be heard in a fast-track court. Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in the region to prevent any law and order issues.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Land acquisition by KIADB: KRRS threatens protest march to CM's Mysuru residence over delay in compensation payment
Alleging a scam in the payment of compensation for the acquisition of land in Nanjangud taluk's Chikkayyanachatra hobli by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) has threatened to lead a march to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's residence in Mysuru if the issue is not resolved in a week's time. Addressing a press conference in Mysuru on Wednesday, KRRS leader Badagalapura Nagendra said the KIADB acquired about 1,123 acres of land across Immavu, Adakanahalli, and Tandavapura in Chikkayyanachatra hobli of Nanjangud taluk. A part of this acquired land has also been earmarked for the proposed film city to be set up by the State government. About 700 families of farmers from the villages of Immavu, Hulimavu, Immavu Hundi, and Adakanahalli Hundi, who had also submitted applications for compensation under the Geni or tenancy rights, were excluded from payment of compensation, Mr Nagendra pointed out. Following agitations by the aggrieved farmers, the KIADB, at its board meeting, decided to pay an ex gratia amount of ₹4 lakh per farmer with unauthorised cultivation on the acquired land and sanctioned a total of ₹18 crore that was disbursed through the Deputy Commissioner to Nanjangud Tahsildar. Mr. Nagendra alleged that the compensation was distributed to ineligible farmers from different taluks of Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts, leaving the eligible farmers high and dry. Contending that 'corruption and irregularities' had taken place in the distribution of the compensation, Mr. Nagendra said the farmers are demanding a thorough investigation and punishment for the guilty, adding that genuine cultivators should be provided the compensation they deserved. Despite an agitation by the farmers for the last two weeks during which the matter was brought to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner, the issue has not been resolved. Mr. Nagendra claimed that the applications filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking details of the compensation paid to the farmers, too, had been denied, raising further suspicion. Hence, he said the farmers have set a deadline of one week for the government to resolve the matter. If not, a protest march will be taken out from the protest site in Nanjangud to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's residence in Mysuru, where a demonstration will be held, Mr. Nagendra warned. Opposition to Cauvery Aarti and Amusement Park Mr. Nagendra highlighted the opposition by the farmers to the government's plan to hold the Cauvery Arati and the construction of an Amusement Park at KRS reservoir. He urged the government to cancel its plan to hold Aarti at KRS reservoir by spending a whopping ₹92 crore. Expressing opposition to the proposed Amusement Park at KRS, Mr. Nagendra said the farmers of Mandya had opposed the project as it posed a threat to the safety of the KRS dam. Similarly, 'anti-people and anti-environment' projects like 'Disneyland' too had to be scrapped following a public outcry, he reminded the government. Fake seeds and Fertilisers Mr. Nagendra expressed concern over the circulation of fake seeds and fertilisers in the market on account of the Agriculture Department's failure to supply the required amount of commodities to the farmers even after the start of monsoon. He urged the government to immediately curb the menace and ensure adequate and timely availability of seeds and fertilisers to the farmers. The KRRS has also extended its support to the 'Devanahalli Chalo' call given by Samyukta Horata Karnataka on June 25 to protest against the forced acquisition of land by KIADB in Channarayapatna hobli in Devanahalli taluk in Bengaluru Rural district.
