IMPHAL, May 21: Allegation of misappropriation of funds by officers of the state Agriculture Department has been leveled by RTI activists.
The charges came in the wake of failure of the said department to provide basic information sought through the RTI act by the concerned appellants.
Briefing the press at the Manipur Press Club today RTI activist and chairman of Social Alleviation for Human Resource and Environmental Management Organization,Manipur (SEHREMOM) Y Kiran stated that various schemes are provided by the centre for the agriculture department, which offers upto 75 percent subsidy and more.
An application was made to the information officer of the department February 6 by one Yanglem Bobo, requesting information of beneficiaries of agriculture related schemes. The application was not tendered within the timeframe of thirty days and the director also wrote back that the sought information is too voluminous.
Kiran stated that a director cannot act beyond the contents of the RTI Act, 2005 and needs to digest the nuances of the act.
He charged that the matter has also been taken up to the first appellate authority but there has been no positive reciprocation from the officer also.
It was mentioned that, the information has been withheld in collusion with the SPIOs and the officers of the department as the information would incriminate many officials.
The activists also charged that video footage of officers handing out ‘envelopes’ to media persons have been recorded.
H Ashakumar, another RTI activist in a similar tone charged that the lifestyle and mansions in which the officers are not at par with their salary. The activist had sought information of the salary of the officers and the same was also not tendered.
The matter will further be brought up to the Ministry of Agriculture at the centre.