SC admits PIL on merger agreement posers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 13 2013 : Consequent to the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) unable to provide details contained in certain sections of the Merger Agreement, a PIL filed on the same issue has reportedly been entertained by the Supreme Court, hearing of which is being awaited.

According to Centre for Foreign Studies and Placement chairman Dr Th Suresh, an RTI was filed to the CPIO in April 2012 seeking detailed information on 'what steps the Government of India had taken for carrying out/fulfilling the obligations/undertaking contained under Article VIII(3) of the Merger Agreement' signed between the Governor General of India and Manipur's Maharaja Bodhchandra.

The said Article is said to imply that "The Government of India also undertake to make suitable provisions for the employment of Manipuris in various branches of the Public Services, and in every way encourage Manipuris to join them.

They also undertake to preserve various laws, customs and conventions prevailing in the State pertaining to the social, economic and religious life of the people" .

With the CPIO conceding that 'details of steps taken by the Government in sync with the Agreement clause are neither available with the CPIO nor the file relating to the said agreement available in the National Archives of India', Dr Suresh said he filed a PIL in the Supreme Court to furnish detailed information on the implementation of subjects mentioned in the merger agreement.

He also noted the CPIO citing intimation to various central agencies such as Department of Personnel and Training, Department of North Eastern Development, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, NE Division MHA, National Archives of India, etc, for necessary perusal but to no avail.

The CPIO, in a missive to the RTI applicant issued in June this year by the Under Secretary Laltlana Chhangte also clarified that there was no intention to hide any part of information available with the CPIO/FAA as the specific information is not available with the concerned CPIO.

As follow-up measure the PIL was filed to the Supreme Court on August 13, Dr Suresh told mediapersons at the Nityaipat Chuthek office of Manipur Pradesh BJP today adding that the apex court formally endorsed the PIL on September 10 .

Joining the media briefing, former State BJP president Sh Shantikumar Sharma reminded that on the State unit's appraisal party's national office had engaged senior advocate Pinky anand to initiate necessary legal proceedings on the same matter.

In addition to then party president Nitin Gadkari extending all possible assistance in the legal proceeding, BJP remains committed to provide financial support in Dr Suresh's initiative for taking up the cause in the Supreme Court.

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