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Number of fines issued for ignoring RTIs
leaps to 484 in ’10 from 6 in ’06

By Nivedita Niranjankumar

BANGALORE (April 19)—The number of fines levied on government departments in Karnataka for ignoring right to information requests jumped from six in 2006 to 484 in 2010, according to an RTI filed by The SoftCopy.

“After we get appeals that the RTI request was not processed, we fine the PIO (public information officer) to whom the request was filed,” said T. Ashoka, undersecretary at the Karnataka Information Commission (KIC).

‘We have to confront those who would take away our freedoms by acting more freely’

Suzanne Moore is an award-winning columnist for the left-leaning Guardian newspaper and the right-leaning Mail on Sunday. Her down-to-earth, pull-no-punches writing style has made the left-wing feminist one of the best-known commentators in the British media scene. Moore took time out from her hectic writing schedule to share her thoughts with IIJNM students on topics including the digitalization of media, press freedom, the riots in England last summer and gay rights.

The comeback king’s
last roar

An opinion piece by SoftCopy reporter Rutvick Mehta on the return of Indian cricket player Sourav Ganguly to the Indian PRemier League.

City garbage cleaners
start indefinite strike

The BBMP pourakarmikas (garbage cleaners), hired on a contract basis, on Thursday began an indefinite strike at Freedom Park, demanding a hike in their wages.

Unskilled laborers promised welfare benefits after protest

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions won a promise of welfare benefits after staging a protest outside the Labor Department on Thursday, demanding a minimum wage of Rs. 10,000 per month for unorganized, unskilled laborers in the state.

Minister’s ‘son’ in prison
after gatecrashing VIP box

Rakesh Gowda, who pretended to be Home Minister R. Ashok’s son so he could gain entry to the VIP section of Chinnaswamy Stadium and watch a cricket match, is now in Bangalore Central Jail.

Banks inadvertently aiding
circulation of bogus bills

Banks often destroy fake Indian currency notes (FICN), when they receive them instead of passing them over to the Reserve Bank of India, according to various sources.

Lack of funds delays
pool reconstruction

The planned reconstruction of the Basavanagudi Aquatic Center (BAC) into a 10-lane swimming pool, to meet international standards set by the Federation Internationale De Natation, has been delayed due to lack of funds.

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