Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 16:
Contending that State Government is reluctant to share informations with the public, Research Associate of Centre for Organisational Research and Education (CORE) joykumar Wahengbam alleged that State authorities are devising means to hold back practical implementation of the Right to Information (RTI).
Speaking to mediapersons at the Core's Palace Compound office this afternoon Joykumar insisted that the general public have been facing enormous difficulties in extracting information under the RTI provision due to lengthy process and other complex procedures.
Substantiating his allegations, the CORE functionary recounted submission of a formal application on February 9 this year seeking status report on different enquiries conducted from 1980 till 2006 regarding violent incidents that took place in the State.
His application is said to have been addressed to the State Public Information Officer Th Chittaranjan, who is also the Joint Secretary (Home), Govt of Manipur.
With the first approach failing to evoke positive response a complaint was raised to the Commissioner (RTI) on March 13, 2007 consequently resulting in the Commissioner circulating an order on May 30 implying that informations sought be positively entertained within 15 days, he maintained.
However, challenging the Commissioner's order and in stark contrast to provision of the RTI Act the State Home Department immediately petitioned the Gauhati High Court.
After lengthy legal hearings a Single bench decree of the Court today favoured the respondent (Joykumar), he informed.
While expressing elation on the Court's ruling, Joykumar nevertheless strongly resented that enacting RTI had been reduced to a mockery when the Home Department raised objection and attempted to muffle concern of a citizen.
Construing that petitioning the Court against the Commissioner's order clearly reflects Government's attempt to restrict access by the citizens on vital information, Joykumar suggested that the Government introspect why in the first place RTI was introduced.