RTI application on Merger Agreement finds no answer
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 01 2013: An application filed under the Right to Information Act seeking details of the Manipur Merger Agreement, Article VIII, Clause 3 went blank with the concerned office claiming that they have no information about what was sought.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club this afternoon, Dr Th Suresh, chairman of the Dr Suresh Centre for Foreign Studies and Placement claimed that the particular clause reads "The Government of India also undertake to make suitable provisions for the employment of Manipuris in the various branches of the Public Services, and in every way encourage Manipuris to join them" .

However, when an application was filed under RTI Act to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Judicial and PP Division, seeking details of the steps taken by the Government of India to fulfil the undertakings it made in Article VIII (3) of the Manipur Merger Agreement signed between the Governor General of India and His Highness, the Maharaja of Manipur, the Ministry replied that the information sought by the application is not available with the CPIO, MHA, Dr Suresh said.

He said that he would file a petition at the Supreme Court seeking implementations of the undertakings made by the Government of India in Article VIII (3) of the Merger Agreement.

After the application was filed on May 8 last year, the applicant two appeals to the Chief Commissioner on August 10, 2012 and September 10 same year.

Finally, the CPIO, Ministry of Home Affairs responded saying that the information sought was not available with them and that there was no intention of concealing any information.

On January 21 this year, a representation was submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India seeking implementation of the undertakings mentioned in the particular clause of the Merger Agreement.

Suresh further claimed that BJP has given its words to provide certain legal assistance in filing a petition at the Supreme Court on the same matter.

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