Chandigarh: In a rare instance of punitive action against a senior official, a Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officer was issued a bailable warrant by the Punjab State Information Commission for failing to comply with its directions in a case related to the Regional Transport Office, Faridkot.The action was initiated by State Information Commissioner Pooja Gupta while hearing an appeal filed by a Mohali resident who sought information from the Regional Transport Office, Faridkot, in 2023.During the last hearing, the appellant informed the Commission that, despite earlier directions, no reply or information was provided. The respondent Public Information Officer was represented by a Data Entry Operator, who stated that the PIO authorised him to appear as the officer suffered a fracture in his leg and was advised by a Doctor not to walk, making him unable to attend the hearing.The Commission granted 1 more opportunity to the appellant to examine the information and revert to the respondent PIO within 15 days of receipt of the order in case of any deficiency, under intimation to the Commission. Upon receipt of any rebuttal, the respondent was directed to remove the deficiencies, if any, before the next date of hearing.During the previous hearing, a show cause notice was issued to Veerpal Kaur, PCS, Secretary-cum-SDM, RTO, Faridkot, now posted at RTO, Fazilka, directing her to appear personally and submit a compliance report in response to the Commission’s order dated September 27, 2023. In that order, the Commission directed the PCS officer, Secretary, RTA, Faridkot, to look into the matter and ensure that an FIR was lodged regarding the missing record.At the subsequent hearing, the officer did not appear, and no written reply was submitted in response to the show cause notice, which the Commission observed reflected a casual approach towards its orders. A letter dated January 16, 2026 was also written to the officer by the present respondent PIO, RTO, Faridkot, in response to the Commission’s order dated December 15, 2025. Despite this, no response was received.At the last hearing, the officer again failed to comply, despite a warning from the Commission that it would ensure her presence through the issuance of a bailable warrant. The Commission directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Fazilka, to serve the bailable warrant on the Public Information Officer, Regional Transport Officer, Fazilka, directing her to appear before Pooja Gupta, Punjab State Information Commissioner, at the next hearing of the appeal case scheduled for March 18.
