New Delhi, February 1, 2025 – In a glaring instance of administrative apathy, the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the Directorate of Health Services (GNCTD), Dr. Sandeep Kumar Agarwal, has come under fire for his nonchalant attitude towards the Right to Information (RTI) Act and the directives of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC). Despite previous warnings and the imposition of penalties, the PIO has continued to display disregard for RTI rules, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability in public administration.
Veteran RTI Activist Raises Alarm
Renowned RTI activist Subhash Chandra Agrawal has once again approached the Central Information Commission regarding the incompetence of the PIO in handling an RTI application concerning a cheque issued by Artemis Lite Hospital. The cheque, dated January 8, 2025, for an amount of Rs. 59,337, was meant for Sanjeev Kumar, the brother of Agrawal, in connection with the surgery of Smt. Shikha Aggarwal.
Dr. Sandeep Kumar Agarwal, the PIO in question, reportedly sent a photograph of the cheque via WhatsApp to Subhash Chandra Agrawal instead of following proper procedural norms for official communication. Agrawal, who was authorized by his brother to represent him in case number CIC/GNCTD/A/2024/108412, had been advocating for proper handling of RTI applications and accountability in the dealings with Artemis Lite Hospital. The final hearing in this matter was conducted on January 6, 2025.
CIC’s Previous Verdict and Fine Imposition
The Central Information Commission, in an earlier ruling on January 16, 2025, had already expressed displeasure over the manner in which the RTI application was being handled by the PIO. As a result, a fine of Rs. 15,000 was imposed on Dr. Sandeep Kumar Agarwal for his lackadaisical approach. This development was widely reported, with News365 covering the CIC’s verdict on January 18, 2025.
Despite these measures, Agrawal has raised fresh concerns, pointing out that a letter dated January 6, 2025, supposedly sent by the PIO to Artemis Lite Hospital with a copy marked to Sanjeev Kumar, was never actually delivered. Agrawal alleges that while a copy of the letter was sent via WhatsApp, no hard copy was ever received by Sanjeev Kumar, further indicating a pattern of procedural negligence.
Allegations of Delay and Misinformation
The activist has now once again appealed to the CIC to ensure the physical delivery of the cheque to the rightful beneficiary. Additionally, he has sought further penalties against the PIO for continued defiance and urged a vigilance inquiry into the dubious handling of the matter by officials at the Directorate of Health Services (GNCTD).
Agrawal has also requested that the case be reported to the Medical Council of India and the Delhi Medical Council for necessary action against the concerned officials. His allegations include deliberate delays, provision of misleading or incomplete information, and overall negligence, which he believes undermine the objectives of the RTI Act and deny citizens their right to information.
RTI Activists Demand Accountability
The RTI Activists Forum of India has joined the call for accountability, demanding that the PIO and the Directorate of Health Services (GNCTD) be held responsible for their mishandling of RTI applications. The forum has underscored the importance of transparency, especially in the healthcare sector, where administrative lapses can have severe consequences for citizens.
Need for Sensitization and Training
This incident has once again highlighted the pressing need for proper training and sensitization programs for PIOs and other government officials dealing with RTI applications. The RTI Activists Forum of India has urged the government to conduct regular workshops to educate public servants about their obligations under the RTI Act and to ensure they handle citizen queries with the seriousness they deserve.
As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the CIC will take stricter action against the erring officials or if the Directorate of Health Services (GNCTD) will take remedial steps to address the concerns raised by activists and citizens alike. Meanwhile, the RTI community continues to push for a more transparent and accountable governance system.
Bureau Report: News 365 Times
