Public money spent on battling COVID-19 :: Share information: HC to Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 16 2020: The High Court of Manipur has directed the State Government to share all information related to spending of public money in combating the COVID-19 crisis.

A Division Bench of the High Court comprising of Justice Lanusukum Jamir and Justice Kh Nobin was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by J Hillson Angam of Khongdei Khuman village, Senapati district against the State Government regarding combat against COVID-19 .

Disposing the PIL, the Court directed that the State shall share all information, without any discrimination except those which are exempted under the provision of Section 8 of the Right To Information Act, with the public related to any action taken towards combating COVID-19 crisis.

Public money spent on battling COVID-19 :: Share information: HC to Govt

Information relating to spending of public money, infrastructure, manpower, facilities etc in the quarantine centres and in particular, the institutional quarantine centres shall be shared, the Court said.

Giving its judgement, the Court noted that public money is nothing but taxpayers' money and the State Government before spending it need to inform the public the amount intended or earmarked to be spent, because the standard of facilities to be provided in the quarantine centres will depend upon it.

The COVID-19 is a global crisis and it is not likely to come to an end in the near future.

While combating it, the State Government needs to share any kind of information about its financial capacity and various actions being taken up, the Court said.

In addition, the State Government shall constitute a committee consisting of experts only within one week, if not already done, to collect all the relevant data and discuss issues with all stakeholders.

The committee shall submit reports to the State Government from time to time so that the same can be placed before the high level Consultative Committee headed by the Chief Minister for consideration and appropriate action.

The State Government should also consider constituting various committees consisting of experts only in all major Departments which shall collect information, relevant data and discuss issues with stakeholders including CSOs, farmers, entrepreneurs, workers etc.

The committees shall assess the impact of COVID-19 and submit their reports with suggested remedial measures to the State Government to make effective action plans, said the Court.

The State should frame an exhaustive rules and regulation to regulate the functioning of the Government towards combating COVID-19 crisis.

It may also modify the existing SOPs to meet changing circumstances and aspects to effectively fight COVID-19, the Court said.