DMU fined
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 06 2025: The Manipur Information Commission (MIC) has imposed a penalty of Rs 9,500 on the Deputy Registrar of Dhanamanjuri University for delaying and failing to provide complete information sought through an RTI application.

The RTI application was filed by one Sorokhaibam Huhedaho Singh on August 6, 2024 to the State Public Information Officer(SPIO)/ Office of Registrar of DMU seeking information regarding appointment of Office Assistant, the notification of which was issued on July 18, 2024 .

As the SPIO, who is also the Deputy Registrar of the DMU, failed to provide complete information sought under the Right to Information Act 2005, the appellant then approached the Manipur Information Commission on September 6, 2024 seeking action against the officer.

In his complaint with the Manipur Information Commission, the appellant asserted that the SPIO/Ofifice of the Registrar of DMU provided the information sought on piecemeal basis and no complete information was given to him.

He requested the Commission to impose maximum penalties on the SPIO .

After hearing the case, the MIC issued a show cause notice to the SPIO on February 27, 2025 with a direction to provide the left out information by March 25, 2025 and submit a written explanation for the delay in providing the information sought.

In compliance with the direction, the SPIO, on March 25, 2025, provided the information sought to the appellant but without some documents, claiming that the 'Public Authority' were searching for the missing documents.

Hearing the case on May 2, the Manipur Information Commission noted that the SPIO has failed to provide the missing information to the appellant and there has been a delay of 38 days from the time (from March 25 to May 2) given by the Commission to provide the complete/missing information.

The Commission then directed the SPIO/Deputy Registrar of Dhanamanjuri University to pay a penalty of Rs 9500 (38 days @ Rs 250 per day) within a period of 45 days.

The amount shall be deposited to the Major Head 0070- Other Administrative Services, Sub-Major 01 - Administration of Justice, Major 501- Services and Service Fees.

The Commission directed the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) Dhanamanjuri University to deduct the penal amount from the salary of the SPIO/Office of the Registrar, Dhanamanjuri University.

The Commission further directed the SPIO to provide the left out information of the DPC proceedings to the appellant on or before the next hearing on May 19 .

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