MIC penalises DMU SPIO for info snub
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 06 2025: Manipur Information Commission has imposed a penalty of Rs 9,500 on the State Public Information Officer (SPIO) of Dhanamanjuri University, Manipur, for failing to provide complete information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act within the stipulated time.

The penalty was announced by state chief information commissioner K Radhashyam Singh following multiple hearings on an appeal case (No 86 of 2024) filed by appellant Sorokhaibam Huhedaho Singh.

The appellant, represented by advocate W Joykumar, had submitted an RTI application dated August 6, 2024, to the SPIO of the university's registrar office seeking information related to the appointment of an Office assistant as per a notification dated July 18, 2024.After receiving no response, he hied a first appeal to the university's first appellate authority on September 6, 2024, and subsequently moved the Manipur Information Commission on October 8, 2024, for a second appeal.

A series of hearings followed, beginning October 30, 2024, and continuing until May 2, 2025.During these sessions, the appellant submitted that information was being furnished in a piecemeal manner, with key documents still withheld.

He requested the Commission to impose the maximum penalty under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act for the delay.

Advocate Denning Irom, appearing on behalf of the SPIO, acknowledged that the complete copy of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) proceedings, specifically sought in Query No 5 of the RTI application, was not furnished.

He cited the ongoing vigilance investigation and seizure of relevant documents as reasons for the delay.

Although partial information was submitted, the SPIO failed to provide Annexure I and II of the DPC proceedings.

The Commission noted that despite multiple directions issued on February 27, March 25, and April 11, 2025, the SPIO neither provided the missing annexures nor submitted a written explanation justifying the delay.

The Commission observed a total delay of 38 days - from March 25 to May 2 - in providing the complete information and concluded that the delay was unjustified under the RTI Act.

As a result, the Commission ordered the SPIO to pay a penalty of Rs 9,500, calculated at Rs 250 per day of delay, within 45 days from the date of the order.

It further directed that the penalty amount be deposited under the appropriate government head and a copy of the payment challan be submitted within 15 days of payment.

The DDO of Dhanamanjuri University was also instructed to deduct the penal amount from the salary of the SPIO.

Additionally, the Commission reiterated its direction to the SPIO to provide the remaining documents - Annexure I and II of the DPC proceedings - to the appellant before the next hearing, scheduled for May 19 .

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