Transparency in Action: Putting People First, Information Commissioner Penalises 12 PIOs for Failing to Act
By enforcing accountability through the RTI Act, State Information Commissioner Raman K is scripting a quiet transformation in governance.
Chetan R @ vēritās news desk 
Bengaluru | June 25, 2025:
In an era where transparency often seems like a distant ideal, the Karnataka State Information Commission is emerging as a relentless crusader for people’s right to know.
In a short span since taking over as State Information Commissioner, Raman K’s approach has not only revived the spirit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, but is also actively reshaping how public accountability is perceived within the administrative corridors of power.
In a recent move, 12 PIOs from various departments and districts across Karnataka were each penalised ₹25,000 for failing to furnish information under the RTI Act.
From tahsildars and PIOs to engineers and senior officials, the penalties were imposed for negligence and delay in providing vital public information — a testament to the Commission’s zero-tolerance approach towards opacity.
These officers, including those from the BBMP, Bangalore Rural and Urban districts, Kolar, and Davanagere. Bench 02 chaired by State Information Commissioner Raman K of the Commission penalised 12 officers after they failed in implementing provisions of RTI Act. Such stringent enforcement is not just about fines — it’s about sending a message: the citizen’s right to know is non-negotiable.
RTI: A People’s Tool
Since its enactment in 2005, the RTI Act has become one of the most powerful tools in the hands of the common man. Whether it's exposing scams, getting ration cards, or securing compensation — information has become power. And it is this power that the State Information Commission safeguards with unwavering commitment.
The Info Commission’s act underscores this ethos. It states clearly that inaction or apathy from public officials towards information seekers is not just administrative failure, but a violation of democratic principles. The Commission believes that denying information is akin to denying justice, and it holds public servants personally accountable for such lapses.
Commissioner Raman K: Driving Change with a People-First Approach
Leading this charge is Raman K, who took over as State Information Commissioner in February, after serving with distinction as Additional Commissioner of Commercial Taxes. Known for his ethical uprightness and deep commitment to citizen-centric governance, Raman has taken forward the legacy of his predecessors at the State Information Commission, who firmly upheld transparency and justice.
His approach is simple yet powerful: enforce the law, empower the citizen, and ensure no question goes unanswered.
His tenure is already being hailed as a quiet shift in governance, thanks to his proactive hearings, speedy disposal of cases, and strict penalty enforcement.
Upholding the Right to Know
For thousands of citizens across Karnataka, the Information Commission headed by the State Chief Information Commissioner, Ashit Mohan Prasad, has become a ray of hope.
From marginalized communities seeking land records to whistle blowers exposing inefficiencies — every RTI application is now treated as a step toward strengthening democracy.
In the backdrop of growing demands for transparency, the Commission’s recent action serves as a bold reminder to public officials that service delivery is not a favour — it's a duty.
And when duty falters, accountability follows.
Karnataka: Setting the Standard
As India celebrates 20 years of the RTI Act in 2025, Karnataka stands tall as a state where the Act is not just on paper, but in action. Thanks to the unwavering actions of the state information commissioners in past and present, the State Information Commission is no longer a forgotten constitutional body — it is a people's institution, breathing life into the very soul of participative democracy.
In the quiet corridors of the Commission office, a revolution is being written — one penalty at a time, one empowered citizen at a time.
Officers penalised in May and June by Bench 02
PIO - Tahsildar Taluk office Hosakote – Rs.25 000
PIO - Tahsildar O/O Tahsildar Anekal Taluk – Rs.25 000
PIO – Tahsildar O/O Tahsildar Anekal Taluk – Rs.25 000
PIO – AEE, BBMP Rajajinagar – Rs.25 000
PIO – JE, Ramanagar District – Rs. 25 000
PIO – Tahsildar, Bangalore East Taluk – Rs.25 000
PIO – EE, Byatrayanpura division, BBMP – Rs.25 000
PIO – Tahsildar, Devanhalli Taluk – Rs.25 000
PIO – Addl DC, DC Office Bengaluru – Rs.25 000
PIO – Asst Director, Social Welfare Dept. Davanagere Dist. – Rs.25 000
PIO – Tahsildar, Taluk Office, Bngalore South – Rs.25 000
PIO – Tahsildar, Bangalore South - Rs.25 000
PIO – Secretary, Village Panchyath, Mulabagilu – Rs.25 000
