SHILLONG: A demand has been made to effectively bring the traditional heads in the State under the ambit of the Right To Information Act, 2005.
In a recent letter addressed to KHADC CEM P.N. Syiem, Chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, John F. Kharshiing, reminded him that numerous representations had been submitted in the last eight years by the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya in this regard.
Kharshiing said that the KHADC notification of March 10, 2009 with reference to the provisions of section 2(h) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 had recognized the Syiem and their Dorbar as public authorities.
Provisions of Section 5(1) of the RTI Act required the Syiem and Dorbar to appoint Designated Appellate Authorities (DAAs), Public Information Officers (PIOs) and Assistant Public Information Officers (APIOs), in the administration of Hima within one month from March 10, 2009.
In this regard, Kharshiing urged the KHADC to refer to his earlier letter dated July 4, 2008 requesting allocation of required funds for appointment of necessary personnel, requirement of salaries, rent, infrastructure and others for setting up such offices so as to enable to fully comply with the requirements of the RTI Act, 2005 and the KHADC notification, given the fact that a majority of the Hima or Elaka did not have the resources to set up such administrative offices.
Moreover, additional expenditure would also be incurred for holding seminars and other programmes for the traditional heads.
The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya also urged the KHADC to provide at least 3000 copies of the RTI Act, 2005 in Khasi so that they can forward the same to the respective Dorbar Raid and Dorbar Shnong for necessary information.
The Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya also enclosed the tentative annual recurring cost estimate of Rs. 21,12,000 which would be required per year for each Hima.
In addition, there is also a one-time expenditure for assets required such as computer, scanner, photocopier, furniture, vehicle (Scorpio), cost of which is likely to be Rs. 10 lakh, approximately.
