Thiruvananthapuram: The Right to Information (RTI) Commission has stepped in to address a case involving the deliberate concealment of a colleague’s service book by officials at the Idukki District Medical Office. The incident has resulted in punitive measures against five officials, as the Commission seeks to ensure accountability and transparency in such matters.
The service book in question belonged to TC Jayaraj, who held the position of Deputy District Health Education Officer. The book had reportedly been sent to the aegis office in 2000 but was never returned. Despite the service book being present within the office premises, the defendants feigned ignorance about its whereabouts, causing detrimental consequences for Mr. Jayaraj’s professional trajectory.
The five officials facing action have been identified as MM Sivaraman, S. Prasad, Superintendent SJ Kavita, clerks KB Geethumol, and J. Revathi. The Information Commissioner’s verdict has levied a fine of Rs 25,000 on each of the implicated individuals. The order stipulates that if the fine is not paid by September 5, necessary steps for recovery will be initiated.
The incident bears significant consequences, as for an extended period, records, including Jayaraj’s annual increments, remained unrecorded in his service book. Consequently, Jayaraj was denied his rightful benefits and recognition for his contributions. Tragically, he passed away due to cancer. Even though the service book was later retrieved and updated, the corresponding benefits were still withheld, including the announcement of his pension.
George Thomas, a lawyer from Nilambur who was involved in pursuing the case, revealed that the service book was not returned from the Accountant General’s office when he had applied for it under the Right to Information Act. When his initial appeal was filed, the book was still missing. Subsequently, with the intervention of the RTI Commission, the service book was recovered within 24 hours of the Commission’s involvement.
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