Government of Tripura
General Administration (AR) Department
Agartala,Tripura

Penalties under the Act

(1) When the State Information Commission, at the time of deciding any complaint or appeal  is of the opinion that 

(a) a State Public Information Officer has, without any reasonable cause,  refused to receive an application for information; or

(b) has not furnished information within the time  specified;   or

(c) mala-fidely denied  the request for information;   or

(d) knowingly given  incorrect, incomplete or misleading information; or

(e) destroyed information which was the subject of the request; or

(f) obstructed, in any manner, furnishing the information; 

 it shall impose on the Public Information officer a penalty of  250/- rupees each day till the application is received or information is furnished,  so  however,  that the total  amount of such penalty shall not exceed  Rs.25,000/-

Provided that the State Public Information Officer  shall be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard  before any penalty is imposed on him;

Provided further that  the burden of proving  that the State Public Information Officer acted reasonably and diligently  shall be on the State Public Information Officer. [Section 20(1)].

(2) When the State Information Commission, at the time of deciding any complaint or appeal  is of the opinion that:-

(a) the State Public Information Officer has, without any reasonable cause and persistently  failed to receive an application for information; or

(b) has not furnished  information within the prescribed time limit; or

(c) mela-fidely denied the request for information; or 

(d) knowingly given incorrect, incomplete or misleading information ; or

(e) destroyed information  which was the subject of the request; or

(f) obstructed, in any manner in furnishing the information;

 It shall recommend disciplinary action against the State Public Information Officer under the service rules applicable to him.[Section20(2)]

These instructions prepared in consultation with the Law Department of the State Government & issued on Public Interest  by Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Tripura, General Administration (AR) Department.