RTI activist responds to Centre Govt's query
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 10 2016:
RTI activist Ayekpam Keshorjit has given his reply to the Secretary and Under Secretary of Union Ministry of Agriculture on May 8 in response to a letter sent to him by the Under Secretary on April 26 .
In a letter sent to Ayekpam Keshorjit regarding the complaints against various officials of different authorities of the State Government for committing malpractices, misconduct and corruption, Under Secretary Neelam Sharma requested the RTI activist to confirm whether the said complaints were made by him and whether he would be able to provide evidence within 15 days if the matter is investigated.
In his reply, Keshorjit said that he filed the complaints on April 7, 2016 on the basis of information received through RTI.
He also said that he is willing to produce evidence in support of the allegations made in his complaints before any impartial and independent inquiry body.
It was also mentioned in his reply that on April 31, 2014 he filed a complaint to the Governor of Manipur for taking up appropriate action against the erring officials who were involved in the recruitment of CRTO/ Havildars under Manipur Police Department on the basis of the fake sport certificate and thereafter the vigilance had taken up the case but no satisfactory action was taken up by them till date and as such he filed another application under RTI Act.
He also said in his reply that the statements made in his complaint are all true to the best of his knowledge and no part thereof is false and appeal to refer the CAG report of the respective years and the citizens can bring a good governance in Manipur in future through it.
He also requested to take up necessary action in accordance with the principle and spirit of the Whistle Blower Protection Bill/Act at the earliest.
The complaint of corruption was filed to Radha Mohan, Union Minister of Agriculture on April 7, 2016 urging him to take necessary action against the public servant of Agriculture Department, Government of Manipur who were involved in the misconduct, misuse and misappropriation of crores of public money funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India under different schemes and programmes for the year 2011-12 to 2015-16 .
In his complaint filed before the Union Ministry, Keshorjit said that the Government of India has been taking up various welfare schemes for the people of Manipur.
An RTI application was submitted by Keshorjit to the Central Public Information Officer/Director of Agriculture Government of India on July 11 last year to obtain information about the schemes, programmes, activities, works provided by the Union Agriculture Ministry for the farmers of the State from 2011 till today.
Another application was also submitted to the Manipur Information Commission seeking information including the list of schemes/programmes/works along with sanctioned orders and UC of the State Agriculture Department.
In his letter, Keshorjit also mentioned that the State Vigilance Commission has failed to investigate the matter effectively and the State Government has also failed to accept the recommendations of the Vigilance and requested to direct any other body which is impartial and independent to investigate the matter.
On the other hand, the State Vigilance Commission has taken up a case under Vigilance Case No 1/SP-V/2016 and sent a letter was sent to RTI activist Ayekpam Keshorjit to make convenient to appear before the State Vigilance Commission located at DC office complex, Lamphelpat on May 5 at 11 am along with the copies of the supportive documents related to his complaint to the Union Ministry of Agriculture for examination.
The RTI activist failed to make himself present before the commission due to the bandh imposed on May 6 .
It may be mentioned that Keshorjit filed an application before SPIO/Director Agriculture Department, Govern- ment of Manipur on June 27 last year seeking a list of schemes, programmes, activities, works indicating the amounts of additional funds getting from Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India and other financial institutions along with the copy of sanction orders for the year 2006 till 2014 and a copy of utilization certificate and audited statement of account of schemes/programme/ activities and works and years.
An another RTI application was submitted by Keshorjit to the Central Public Information Officer/Director of Agriculture Government of India on July 11 last year to obtain information about the schemes, programmes, activities, works provided by the Union Agriculture Ministry for the farmers of the State from 2011 till today.
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