IMPHAL, November 20: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Vice Chancellor, Manipur University to ensure that the provision of training on the RTI Act for the officials for the university officials is enhanced.
This was stated today by the executive director, Human Rights Initiative, HRI Wahengbam Joykumar during a press conference at its office today.
The CIC’s direction was made in regard to an RTI appeal made on December 28, 2012 seeking information on three points relating to Centre for Human Rights and Duties Education, he said.
The RTI application was filed by program executive, HRI, Manoj Thokchom son of Thokchom Premkumar of Porompat Thawanthaba Leikai and program executive, S Sanatampha daughter of Samurailatpam Krishnakuamr Sharma of Singjamei Chingamakha Phuramakhong.
The CIC had also expressed that the information has been provided to the appellant with considerable delay and the First Appellate Authority (FAA) has not provided any response to the appeal filed on January 31, 2013, he said.
He continued that the Manipur University is not proactive with RTI due to lack of knowledge of the provision of the act among the responsible officials of the University and also transparency in its functioning.
The RTI activist Manoj Thokchom has appealed to furnished the copies of the sanction orders issued by the competent authority for utilization in the Centre for Human Rights and Duties Education for the year 2010 till date, to provide statement of the expenditure for the Centre for Human Rights and Duties Education along with APR/ cash memo of all the funds from the year 2010 to till date, he said.
Both the RTI activists have made the first appeal on January 31, 2013 and on February 12, 2013 they receive reply from the authority with unclear information, he said.
He continued that when further enquired about the failure of providing copies of APR and cash memo, the lawyers stated that the University didn’t maintain the cash memo and APR, which make astonished of their replied.
Speaking to media persons, RTI activist Samurailatpam Sanatampha said that she has made an appeal to provide a copy of the eight points the appointment order, terms and duration of co-ordinator; copy of orders for appointment of external examiners of the Human Rights and Duties Education 2010- 2011 of 1st batch, MU; to furnished a copy of marks statement of the students of the said course submitted by the examiners to the co-ordinator of centre for Human Rights and Duties Education.
She continued that after RTI was made on January 21, 2013 she was threatened by coordinator, Suresh Kaumar through the phone at around 9:30 pm to withdraw the RTI within two days and on the next day she was told to come alone at Singjamei parking at around 3:30 pm.
She further said that the attitude of Suresh Kaumar is savage even though she is working under his guidance.