12. Penalty.- (1) Where any Public Information Officer has without any reasonable cause, failed to supply the information sought, within the period specified under sub-section (2) of section 6, the appellate authority may, in appeal impose a penalty of rupees two hundred fifty, for each day’s delay in furnishing the information, after giving such Public Information Officer a reasonable opportunity of being heard. (2) Where it is found in appeal that any Public Information Officer has knowingly given,- (a) incorrect or misleading information, or (b) wrong or incomplete information ; the appellate authority may impose a penalty not exceeding rupees two thousand, on such Public Information Officer as it thinks appropriate after giving such officer a reasonable opportunity of being heard. (3) An appeal shall lie against the order of the appellate authority, with the Lokayukta or Upa-Lokayuktas and the provisions of sub-sections (3),(4) and (5) or section 11 shall mutatis mutandis apply to such appeal. (4) The penalty under sub-sections (1) and (2) as imposed by the appellate authority, shall be recoverable from the salary of the Public Information Officer concerned, or if no salary is drawn, as an arrears of land revenue. (5) The Public Information Officer on whom the penalty under sub-sections (1) and (2) is imposed shall also be liable to appropriate disciplinary action under the service rules applicable to him. | 
