JHADC PIO denies information under RTI

JOWAI: The Chief Forest Officer of the JHADC, who is also the Public Information Officer of the department, has allegedly denied information to the JYF which had sought information under the RTI Act 2005.
The JYC had on February 22, filed an application for seeking information under the RTI Act 2005; however, the JHADC Chief Forest Officer replied on Monday that the information sought under RTI Act could not be provided.
“I am to inform you that the information as required under your petition cannot be accepted as it is against the RTI Act 2005 Section 7(1),” a letter from the Forest officer stated.
According to JYF president Poipynhun Majaw the denial of the JHADC Chief Forest Officer to provide detail information sought under RTI Act is a clear indication that there is something wrong within the Forest department of the JHADC.
“The Forest Officer has misquoted the Section 7 (1) of the RTI Act”, Majaw said.
The Section 7(1) speaks nothing against disposal of request; instead it stated that any information sought under RTI should be furnished within 30 days.
The JYF president further informed that he will approach the State Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) in this regard.