GSIC Cracks Down On Devalaya Administrators Over RTI Evasion, Orders Statewide Indexing Of Temple Records

The Goa State Information Commission (GSIC) has directed Devalaya Administrators across Goa to obtain, catalogue and index mandatory temple records, emphasising that their offices are public authorities responsible for maintaining and disclosing such information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The order was passed by State Information Commissioner Atmaram R. Barve while disposing of five second appeals filed against the Public Information Officer (PIO), Mamlatdar of Bardez, who also functions as the Administrator of Devalayas.

The Commission observed that although temple managing committees are not considered public authorities under earlier High Court rulings, the Office of the Administrator of Devalayas is bound by RTI obligations. It criticised the practice of merely forwarding RTI applications to private temple committees and denying information when the committees failed to respond.

The Commission noted that previous court rulings concerning temple committees appeared to have become a shield for Administrators to avoid their own statutory responsibilities.

It clarified that mandatory records, including lists of Mahajans, inventories of movable and immovable properties, budget estimates, cash books and bank details, must be maintained and made accessible through the Administrator’s office. The Commission also stated that compiling these records does not amount to creating new information under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act.

Allowing all five appeals, the Commission directed the PIO to ensure that the concerned Devalaya furnishes the requested information by November 30, 2026. An official inspection of the records must also be facilitated for the appellant by December 15, with formal minutes recorded and a compliance report submitted on December 21.

In a statewide directive, the Commission asked the Secretary of the Revenue Department to instruct all Devalaya Administrators in Goa to obtain, catalogue and index mandatory temple records by December 15, 2026. A statewide compliance report must be submitted before the Commission on December 21.