Inside The Secretariat: Officials Withhold RTI Information Even In The Face Of Penalties

RTI Applications: Penalties Over Complete Disclosure? 

In Gujarat, applicants seeking information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act often face delays or denial of information, resulting in penalties being imposed by the Information Commission on officials. During the last year, around 1.62 lakh RTI applications were filed in the state, and nearly 7,000 complaints were received alleging incomplete, inadequate, or non-supply of information. However, since the process of imposing penalties is lengthy and procedural, action cannot be taken against every officer who fails to provide information. As a result, only 21 Public Information Officers (PIOs) were penalised during the year. In a recent case, a Public Information Officer of the Gujarat Housing Board was fined ₹2,500 by the Information Commission after providing “nil information” in response to an RTI application without carrying out proper verification. There are also instances where some officials appear willing to accept penalty orders rather than disclose complete information, as the release of such information could potentially expose shortcomings or lead to embarrassment for the concerned department.

No VIP Pass on Roads: 5,123 Officials Fined

The laws framed and enforced by the government apply equally to government officers. However, some officials and employees often assume that being part of the government machinery would shield them from action by the traffic police. This misconception has been shattered over the past month. Following court directives for stricter enforcement against riders not wearing helmets, the police have also been collecting fines from government officials found violating traffic rules. Across the state, traffic police have recovered ₹5.21 crore in fines from 1.88 lakh motorists for various violations during the last one month. Of this, ₹16.58 lakh has been collected from 5,123 government officials and employees. The state’s newly appointed Director General of Police, Gyanendra Singh Malik, has said that the objective of the police is not to collect fines, but to ensure the safety and security of citizens on the roads.

Brothers Paradox

An instance has come to light in which two brothers from the same family allegedly secured government jobs using caste certificates from different categories. One of the brothers became a Revenue Talati using an OBC certificate, while the other secured a position as a Junior Clerk on the basis of an ST certificate. The serious case has emerged from Wankaner taluka in Rajkot district. If the facts are established, action should not be limited to the beneficiaries alone; the officials responsible for verifying and approving the caste certificates must also be held accountable. This appears not to be an administrative error but a possible manipulation of caste certificates to secure employment through categories with lower merit cut-offs. What makes the matter even more startling is that both brothers have reportedly contested local self-government elections. This raises questions that may also warrant scrutiny by the State Election Commission.

Khaki Corridors Set for a Massive Reshuffle

Following the appointment of Gujarat’s new Director General of Police (DGP), a major reshuffle is expected in the state police department. The Home Department is likely to announce transfers of several senior police officers in the near future, including the appointment of a new Police Commissioner for Ahmedabad, along with changes involving other police commissioners, district Superintendents of Police (SPs), Range Inspectors General (IGs), and officers heading various branches. Among the police commissioners whose transfers are being discussed are Anupam Singh Gehlot of Surat, Brijesh Kumar Jha of Rajkot, and Narsimha Komar of Vadodara.

The anticipated changes are also expected to involve officers at the ranks of DGP, ADGP, IGP, and DIG. Significantly, 2000-batch IPS officer Nipuna Torawane, who has been serving as Principal Secretary in the Home Department for a considerable period, is also believed to be among those who may be transferred.

Industries Must Log In, Not Walk In: GPCB

The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has stopped accepting offline representations from industries. In an order issued by the Board, it has been stated that all processes will now be conducted through an e-file-based system to enhance transparency. Industries will be required to submit applications and complete all related procedures online. Except under exceptional circumstances, no physical representations will be accepted at the Board’s head office in Gandhinagar or at its regional offices. The GPCB had introduced a similar system earlier, but services were disrupted due to technical issues. A new portal has now been developed to facilitate the process. The Board has also clarified that industries receiving notices from GPCB will no longer be required to appear in person and submit written representations. Instead, they can upload their replies, explanations, and submissions directly through the online portal.

Top Cops Spend Another Night on the Frontier

Eight IPS officers serving in Gujarat’s border districts have once again visited villages along the international border. Along with the Deputy CM, these officers stayed overnight in villages located near the India-Pakistan border in Gujarat. During the visits, they interacted with local residents through night meetings, listened to public grievances, and reviewed security and patrolling arrangements along the border. The eight IPS officers who visited 16 border villages across Vav-Tharad, Patan and Kutch districts included Vabang Zamir, Ajay Chaudhary, Bipin Shankarrao Ahire, A M Muniya, K N Damor, Leena Patil, R T Susara and Sudha S Pandey.

Earlier, in November 2025, 30 IPS officers had undertaken a similar overnight stay in border areas along with Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. During that exercise, 60 border villages were visited. Notably, Gujarat shares an international border of 406.87 kilometres with Pakistan, making such outreach and security review exercises strategically significant.

Gujarat Reboots ITIs for the Age of AI & EVs

Lochan Sehra, Secretary of the Labour, Skill Development and Employment Department, has launched a new initiative aimed at preparing a technology-ready workforce for the future. Under the initiative, 73 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across Gujarat have introduced new-age courses, ranging from Artificial Intelligence Programming Assistant to Electric Vehicle Mechanic. These programmes are designed to equip students with industry-relevant skills and meet the evolving demands of technology-driven sectors. In addition to these two courses, the new curriculum includes Drone Pilot, Solar Technician, CNG Machining, Mechatronics, Smart Healthcare, 3D Printing and IoT Technician, Aeronautical Structure and Equipment Fitter, Soil Testing and Crop Technician, and Smartphone Technician-cum-App Tester. To support the expansion of these future-oriented programmes, 3,312 additional seats have been created across the ITI network in the state.