HC directs payment of compensation to RTI activist
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 14 2013: In a first of its kind in Manipur, Gauhati High Court has directed the Government of Manipur for payment of Rs 10,000 as compensation to an RTI complainant within one month in compliance with an earlier order passed by Manipur Information Commission.

According to a statement issued by Meihoubam Rakesh, Director of Human Rights Law Network (Manipur), the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench has directed the Principal Secretary (Rural Development & Panchayati Raj) to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 to Takhellambam Demona Chanu, an RTI applicant, within one month, in compliance with the order of the Chief Information Commissioner dated 7-9-2011 .

The statement informed that Takhellambam Demona Chanu had filed an application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 to the State Public Information Officer for obtaining certain information pertaining to implementation of MGNREGS at Ucheckon Nongpok Gram Panchayat.

However, the concerned State Public Information Officer failed to furnish the requested information within the stipulated time.

Subsequently, the applicant filed the First Appeal against the State Public Information Officer to the First Appellate Authority.

However, on receiving no desired response, she again filed the Second Appeal before the Manipur Information Commission.

The Manipur Information Commission, realizing that the applicant had suffered due to unjustified actions of the Public Authority directed the Secretariat Rural Development Department, Government of Manipur, to pay a compensation of Rs 10,000 to Demona Chanu within 15 days from the date of order.

However, since the said Public Authority failed to comply with the order of the Manipur Information Commission, Demona Chanu filed a Writ Petition in the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench in 2012 .

The Court after hearing the submission of the counsel for the Petitioner, passed an order on February 8, 2013 directing the Principal Secretary/Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj to pay the said compensation amount of Rs 10,000 in compliance with the order of the Chief Information Commission, Manipur within a period of one month, the statement informed.

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