State info commissioners sweating it out, literally

ACS WERE REMOVED WHEN THE COMMISSION DECIDED TO SHIFT TO A NEW OFFICE CONSTRUCTED ON THE CHANDIGARH RED CROSS PREMISES IN SECTOR 16, BUT THE SHIFTING COULDN’T TAKE PLACE AS PLANNED

CHANDIGARH: The state information commissioners of Punjab are sweating it out these days, literally. With air conditioners and curtains on the window removed over a week ago, the sultry conditions in commission’s office have made working tough for the members and the visitors.

ACs were removed when the commission decided to shift to a new office constructed on the Chandigarh Red Cross premises in Sector 16. There has been some delay in the shifting over some queries raised by the Red Cross.

“The working conditions in the office these days are pathetic. With a number of people coming for appeals and follow ups, it becomes really uncomfortable to sit in the office in absence of basic amenities. We are suffering despite our’s being a quasi judicial body,” an information commissioner told HT on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, the state information commission (SIC) has announced not to hold courts on Monday and Tuesday. According to the commission chairman, SS Channy, they were finally moving to the new office. “We have cleared all hurdles,” he said.

The building in which the SIC would shift was ready for two years, but shifting got delayed due to one or other hurdle. As per reports the UT administration had raised certain objections on the zoning plan of the building, which, Channy said, have been sorted out.

BUILDING COST ₹6 CRORE, MONTHLY

RENT ₹11.3 LAKH According to Channy, the

SIC will pay a monthly rent of ₹11.3 lakh and the state government had paid ₹6 crore to the Red Cross training centre for the construction, which would also house commission’s office. Channy said rent would help the Red Cross run its routine affairs.

Sources in SIC said the efforts for having own office were on since 2007, and different proposals were mooted from time to time, but none materialised.