Misdeeds of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee

New Delhi, India: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has slapped a fine of Rs 57,500 on the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee for its failure to reply to three RTI applications.

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Prabandh Sudhar Committee member Kuldip Singh Bhogal in a press conference on Saturday informed that the CIC has imposed a penalty of Rs 57,500 for non-furnishing of information under RTI Act in three different complaints by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

Bhogal said there were reports of illegal transfer of Guru Harkrishan Hospital, Bala Sahib, in Delhi to one Manipal Group by the office bearers of DSGMC. “An RTI application was filed by the Sudhar Committee seeking a copy of the agreement made with the said Manipal Group. But the information was not provided even after one year. In view of the delay, the CIC in its final hearing passed an order imposing a penalty of Rs 25,000,” Bhogal said.

“Similarly, in another complaint, the CIC imposed a penalty of Rs 25,000 on DSGMC for not furnishing the details of the fee paid by it to lawyers to defend the case of illegal postponement of elections of the executive board due in February 2008. A fine of Rs 7,500 was also imposed for delay in providing information in another matter,” Bhogal added.

When contacted, DSGMC chief PS Sarna rubbished the claims of Bhogal and on the RTI issue, he said, “Our lawyer has told us that we are not covered by the RTI Act as we are a religious body. Thus, we decided not to respond to the RTI applications.”.

Source: TOI