Chandigarh, June 20 -- The Punjab State Information Commission (PSIC) has asked the Barnala tehsildar to furnish records on the alleged disappearance of a water drainage channel recorded in revenue records within a private housing colony, while simultaneously widening its scrutiny to several approved residential projects over compliance with norms governing economically weaker section (EWS) plots, public amenities and land transfers to the municipal corporation.

The directions were issued by chief information commissioner Inderpal Singh last week while hearing two RTI appeals filed by Barnala resident Bhagwant Rai, who alleged irregularities in the development of private colonies in the district and sought records relating to public land...