Karnataka State Cricket Association to respond to RTI applications
23 Dec, 2012Hearing an application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act filed by S Umapathi, the Karnataka State Information Commission (SIC) has ruled that the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is a public authority as defined under section 2(h)(d)(ii) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. The order brings the KSCA under the ambit of the RTI Act and the organisation is now expected to appoint a PIO and a FAA to respond to all RTI applications. The Karnataka SIC has directed the KSCA to furnish information in the compact disk.
The Information Commissioner Dr. Shekhar D Sajjanar noted that as per the lease deed dated March 11, 1970, the KSCA had taken 16 acres and 32 guntas of land on MG Road on lease for 99 years from the State government for which an annual rent of Rs. 33,033 is paid. Further, Rs. 32,033 out of the amount of Rs. 33,033, was treated as grant-in-aid, for the period of lease of 99 years. The Commission held that the Government of Karnataka has substantially financed the KSCA. The order read, “By exercising powers under Section 25(5) of the RTI Act, this Commission calls upon the KSCA, which is a public authority, to have a Public Information Officer and First Appellate Authority appointed within 15 days from the date of this order.”