Ladies Club comes under RTI purview

The Ladies Club on the Infantry Road is now included under the Right to Information ambit, after the Karnataka Information Commission declared it as a public authority.

In a recent verdict, Information Commissioner T Rama Naik ordered that the Ladies Club is enjoying concession under the government scheme, and hence, it cannot remain limited to a section of people.

It should share information about its functioning with the public and should have a public information officer, as per the RTI Act.

The order came, based on a second appeal by S Umapathi, who had filed an RTI application with the Ladies Club.

List of records

Umapathi had sought a certified copy of the list of records duly catalogued and indexed, as required to be maintained under Section 4 (1) (a) of the RTI Act - 2005.

He had also sought a certified copy of all information/ booklet, as required to be published, under Section 4 (1) (b) of the RTI Act - 2005.

Since the applicant did not get any information from the Ladies Club, he approached the Karnataka Information Commission.

Umapathi’s logic was simple, while filing the RTI application with the Ladies Club. He contended that in 1968, the Public Works Department gave 18,275 sq ft land for the Club on a lease at Rs 10 per month, for a period of 50 years.

“As per the existing guidance value, the cost of the land is Rs 26.87 crore, while the annual rent should be Rs 1.25 crore. But it has paid only Rs 5,640 in the last 47 years,” said Umapathi.

Govt benefits

The Information Commissioner justified his claim and found that the Club, which is a centre for recreation-cum-uplifting women, has enjoyed all government benefits over a period of time, especially the land, at a throwaway price. Hence, it is answerable to the public under the RTI Act, he said.