State BJP turns heat on LDA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 17 2015 : BJP Manipur Pradesh has claimed that the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) is unable to give any satisfactory answer to the queries raised by the party with regard to removal of phumdis from Loktak Lake.

Speaking to media persons at their Keishampat Nityaipat Chuthek office here this afternoon, BJP Manipur Pra- desh general secretary (media affairs) L Basanta said that the party's RTI Cell convenor Mongjam Poireihanba filed an application under RTI Act through the SPIO/Project Director seeking certain infor- mation from LDA on July 6 this year.

As there was no response, a complaint was lodged with the first appellate authority/LDA Chairman in September.

Again there was no response.

Then a complaint was lodged with the Chief Information Commissioner.

Poireihanba was seeking to know the exact amount of fund sanctioned by the Government of India since 2007 under Special Plan Assistance for conservation and management of Loktak Lake.

He also sought to know if any work order was issued for the phumdi removal project and if yes, the name of firm/agency/individual to which the work order was issued.

The RTI application further asked if any compen- sation was paid to fishing families affected by the project.

It sought the exact amount and details of beneficiaries if any compensation was paid.

In response to the second complaint lodged with the LDA Chairman, a verbal reply was given on September 5 saying that a list of fishermen's had been submitted.

In the meantime, a written intimation sent to Poireihanba on September 9 asked him to pay printing charge of Rs 360 .

Even though it was repeatedly enquired whether the money should be paid in cash or in the form of draft, the list was not provided on the pretext that it was not yet finalized, Basanta said.

If there is no response to the complaint filed to the Chief Information Commissioner, the RTI Cell would go the National Information Commission.

Poireihanba maintained that LDA's failure to give any response to the RTI application only exposed its wrongdoings.

Nonetheless, the party's RTI Cell would continue all exploring all possible means until all the details are obtained, he added.

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