RTI activist urges for transparency in information
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 29 2018: An RTI activist Wahengbam Joykumar has conveyed that he had to file for a PIL following the failure to reply to an RTI which was filed by him, regarding the payment of Relief and Rehabilitation (R&R) packages of the affected families of Mapithel Dam.

Speaking to a team of media persons at Manipur Press Club today, RTI activist W Joykumar informed that he filed an RTI to Public Information Office, Ukhrul, DC office on December 21, 2015.He said that the RTI was filed when he suspected the inclusion of bogus beneficiaries in the process of distribution the R&R packages to the affected families.

He had raised seven questions in the RTI requesting the authority concerned to provide the Actual Payee Receipt (APR) for the payment of Rs 14 lakh to each beneficiaries, ID proof of the beneficiaries and their bank account numbers.

Stating that he did not receive any reply on the matter, he claimed that the Public Information Officer, Ukhrul told him that the information were not allowed to be shared by some sections.

Following the failure to receive any reply of the RTI, he filed a PIL to Manipur High Court after which notice was issued to Chief Information Commissioner and the authorities concerned.

He pointed out that it would not be possible for a person to receive any sort of information if the procedures and process of law are hindered every step of the way.

The activist claimed that the public deserves to know and have the right to remain aware of any information they seek, beginning from matters as high as the Chief Minister's office.

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