Activist alleges info denial on IDP entitlements, seeks SC action
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 15 2025: RTI activist Wahengbam Joykumar has petitioned the Manipur Information Commission seeking immediate execution of Supreme Court directives on proactive disclosure under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, alleging prolonged and deliberate denial of information by the CM's secretariat and the home department concerning benefits meant for internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur.

In the second appeal filed before the Manipur Information Commission under Appeal Case No 2 of 2025, Wahengbam Joykumar urged the Commission to enforce provisions under Section 4 of the RTI Act and direct the concerned public authorities to upload details of IDP entitlements and benefits sanctioned by the union government on their official websites.

He also sought appointment of a State Public Information Officer (SPIO) and an Appellate Authority in the CM's secretariat under Section 19(8)(ii) of the Act.

The appellant stated that he had initially submitted an RTI application on August 16, 2024, to the SPIO of the CM's secretariat requesting information, in hard or soft copy, regarding entitlements provided to victims of the ethnic conflict.

Joykumar asserted that the requested information qualifies as proactive disclosure and should be published online under legal obligations.

After receiving no response within the statutory 30-day period, he filed a first appeal on October 10, 2024 .

However, the Appellate Authority also failed to furnish any decision or information.

Subsequently, a second appeal was filed on January 7, 2025.Instead of providing the information, the appellant was informed that his application had been transferred to the home department, which he claimed violated Section 6(3) of the RTI Act, as he was not notified about the transfer.

On March 13, the legal officer and joint secretary (home), Balkrishna Heisnam, provided partial information, which Joykumar said was "misleading, incomplete and false.

" He filed a rejoinder on April 10 but has not received a reply to date.

He alleged that the home department's failure to act amounts to persistent obstruction of the transparency regime.

Further, Joykumar claimed that the joint secretary (Home) deflected responsibility by stating that lists of IDP beneficiaries are available in the offices of respective DCs.

However, he said that the home department has not instructed the DCs to upload such data as mandated under the proactive disclosure clause of the RTI Act.

Citing the Supreme Court's judgement dated August 17, 2023, in Kishan Chand Jain v Union of India (WP No 990 of 2021), the appellant reminded the Commission that it is bound to ensure that all public authorities comply with proactive disclosure norms.

He warned that failure to disclose such information allows for the misuse of public funds meant for displaced persons and undermines the victims' right to life and freedom of expression.

He also questioned the absence of a designated SPIO and Appellate Authority in the CM's secretariat, alleging this was a key reason for the continued delay.

Joykumar criticised the practice of allowing lawyers, who are not public servants, to represent SPIOs during hearings, calling for direct participation of the officers concerned to ensure accountability.

The appellant reminded the Commission that it is not an agency to defend public authorities attempting to withhold information and requested that it exercise its authority under Section 20 to impose penalties and award compensation under Section 19 of the RTI Act.

He appealed to the Commission, chaired by a retired IPS officer, not to take a lenient stance toward the home department and instead direct the upload of relevant Office Memoranda and guidelines issued by the chief secretary, including the one issued under File No H-1701/114/2023-HD-HD in June 2023, which outlines the IDP entitlements.

Joykumar said that he urgently needed the information to assist those displaced by the violence, many of whom are still unable to access the support sanctioned in their name.

He urged the Commission to conduct a thorough inquiry and deliver a decision that upholds transparency and the rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

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