Koppal: The Karnataka Information Commission has imposed a Rs 25,000 penalty on Gangavathi taluk panchayat assistant director Mahantagouda Patil for failing to furnish records sought under the RTI Act during his tenure as PDO. The records related to alleged irregularities in material expenditure, stock registers and MIS payments worth lakhs of rupees under MGNREGA works carried out in Bevinahal village during 2015-16 and 2017-18.
Patil, who was later promoted as assistant director, told the commission that he was not holding the post when the RTI applications were filed. Following the commission’s order, Koppal ZP CEO Varnit Negi said a departmental inquiry and disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against Patil to examine his role in the alleged withholding of public records. Applicants alleged that the records were not provided despite repeated requests. State information commissioner B Venkat Singh rejected the contention and directed him to deposit the penalty amount in the govt account and submit proof.