East Mojo: Meghalaya: Tuesday, 23 July 2024.
The issue was brought to light when social activist Nilbirth Ch Marak filed a complaint with the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of the state, seeking intervention.
In a notable instance of
non-compliance from a government agency, the Directorate of Family Welfare and
Health Services (DFWHS) has come under scrutiny for refusing to furnish details
requested under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
The issue was brought to light when social activist Nilbirth Ch Marak filed a complaint with the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of the state, seeking intervention.
This follows another unresolved complaint lodged with the CIC, where the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department also refused to provide information to the same activist.
Nilbirth submitted an RTI request on May 24, 2024, to the PIO of DFWHS and waited the stipulated 30 days for a response. However, more than 70 days have passed, and the department has yet to provide the requested information.
"I filed the case under Section 18(b) of the RTI Act, 2005. They were supposed to furnish the details within 30 days of my application, but despite 70 days passing, no information has been forthcoming. They have voluntarily withheld information and not even responded to our applications," stated Nilbirth.
The activist further mentioned that there has been no communication from the department explaining the delay.
"The PIO is duty-bound to provide information under the Act, and his refusal to do so is in contravention of the Act itself. We seek the commissioner's intervention so that necessary notices are provided to the department and action is taken against the PIO for his willful neglect," added Nilbirth.
The issue was brought to light when social activist Nilbirth Ch Marak filed a complaint with the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of the state, seeking intervention.
The issue was brought to light when social activist Nilbirth Ch Marak filed a complaint with the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of the state, seeking intervention.
This follows another unresolved complaint lodged with the CIC, where the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department also refused to provide information to the same activist.
Nilbirth submitted an RTI request on May 24, 2024, to the PIO of DFWHS and waited the stipulated 30 days for a response. However, more than 70 days have passed, and the department has yet to provide the requested information.
"I filed the case under Section 18(b) of the RTI Act, 2005. They were supposed to furnish the details within 30 days of my application, but despite 70 days passing, no information has been forthcoming. They have voluntarily withheld information and not even responded to our applications," stated Nilbirth.
The activist further mentioned that there has been no communication from the department explaining the delay.
"The PIO is duty-bound to provide information under the Act, and his refusal to do so is in contravention of the Act itself. We seek the commissioner's intervention so that necessary notices are provided to the department and action is taken against the PIO for his willful neglect," added Nilbirth.
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