By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) CD Kynjing has imposed a fine of Rs 3000 against the Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) Public Information Officer for failing to provide the RTI information sought by Rev Zambolis Sawkmie within the stipulated 30-day period.
Sawkmie had sought information under RTI relating to a project entitled ‘A Public Health Medical Laboratory Network with Affordable Services for Meghalaya and Epidemiology Research Cell’ at an Allied Health Training Institute at MLCU, Shillong with monitoring by CMC, Vellore.
MLCU had applied for funding from the Department of Bio Technology under the Union Government for the project on the recommendation of the State Government. The total project cost is more than Rs 20 crore, the press note from Sawkmie added.
As per the order issued on June 4, the CIC stated that the Commission imposed a penalty on the PIO for a 12-day delay in providing information sought by the applicant.
“The PIO would have to pay a penalty of Rs 250 per day amounting to Rs 3000,” the CIC said in the order.
In his order, Kynjing also observed that ‘the project is meant for public utility hence the public have a right to know if such project will be suitable and beneficial for the state of Meghalaya’.
Further, the CIC also said that the public has the right to scrutinize the project and make suggestions. If for a number of reasons it is found that the project is not beneficial for the State, there is no question of wasting public money.
According to Sawkmie, this is not the first time MLCU has been caught withholding information. After several warnings by the State Information Commission to follow RTI Act 2005, MLCU has finally been fined.
“In the past MLCU has attempted to deny information regarding a project amounting to crores of rupees funded by the NEC to establish a Northeast Career Institute,” Sawkmie alleged, adding that the proposed project is yet to get off the ground even though funds have already been transferred to MLCU.
As per the RTI findings, he revealed that the MLCU first tried to identify land belonging to the KJP Assembly at Central Ward, Shillong, without the knowledge of the KJP.
After there was opposition to this proposed idea, the University shifted the project to another plot of land at Umsawli, Mawdiangdiang for the establishment of the North East Career Institute (NECI).
Meanwhile, the MLCU Registrar has clarified that the fine imposed was for the delay in providing information and not for withholding information.
“The delay occurred because of the time taken to obtain certain clarifications on the RTI submitted,” the Registrar Rev EH Kharkongor said but added that the University takes the responsibility for the delay in providing the information.
The MLCU also maintained that the delay does not represent denial of information.
While referring to the NECI project funded by the NEC, the Registrar stated that accusations made are without substance.
“We have all the necessary clearance from the NEC for taking up the project. The work for implementation of NECI is in progress,” Kharkongor added.