Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 19 2009:
State chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of Manipur Information Commission (MIC), RK Angousana has passed an order on December 12 directing the Deputy Commissioner of Senapati district, Nidhi Kesharwani to personally pay a fine of Rs 25,000 for failing to provide information under the Right to Information Act to a complainant.
The order was passed in disposal of a complaint case No.106 of 2009 filed by Vice President of Naga People's Organisation (NPO), D Kanmi.
D Kanmi had requested the DC of Senapati district, who is also the State Public Information Officer (SPIO), to furnish information regarding the list of selected beneficiaries for the financial assistance granted by the Government of India under Indira Awaz Yojana (IAY) for 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 to the poor people living in Senapati district.
The applicant had also requested the SPIO to give information on the APR copies of the amount of money given to the beneficiaries, and also sought to know whether low cost latrines, smokeless chullah and free power connection were provided to the selected beneficiaries or not.
If not provided, give reasons, and if yes, give the list of beneficiaries including names, addresses, ages and names of fathers/husbands, demanded the applicant.
The application was submitted to the SPIO/DC, Senapati district under RTI Act on July 8 last.
However, since the SPIO/DC had not provided any information, the applicant filed a complaint case with the MIC on August 23 last.
The MIC had repeatedly directed the DC to provide the sought after information.
Still then, the SPIO/DC did not comply with the Commission's directive.
Then the State CIC, RK Angousana issued a show cause notice to the SPIO/DC on November 26 last directing her once again to provide the applicant all the information he sought or if not, why she should not be penalised.
The cause should be explained before December 3, the notice had said.
That too was neglected by the SPIO/DC.
The Chief Information Commissioner has once again directed the SPIO/DC to provide the information free of cost within a week from the receipt of the order, despite having to pay a fine of Rs 25,000, failing which the commission would reccommend displinary action against her for obstructing furnishing of information as per provision of Section 20(2) of the RTI Act, 2005 .
Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Vice President of NPO, D Kanmi stated that newspapers published in Manipur had carried a report on July 5 last on the alleged misappropriation of Rs 98,83,000 of IAY by the DC of Senapati district.
However, the DC is at present under the Z-category protection of security on the ground that she faces threat from underground rebels, the press release stated.
D Kanmi further charged that the DC has misappropriated funds meant for development schemes for the people.
He drew attention of the government to the high level of corruption prevailing in the district administration and urged the government not to protect the corrupt officers.