HYC seeks action against officer on Lafarge RTI

SHILLONG: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) filed a complaint to the State Chief Information Commissioner to initiate proceedings against the Public Information Officer (PIO) at the office of Principal Chief Conservator of Forest for incomplete information in the reply to RTI regarding the use of money deposited by Lafarge.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the general secretary of HYC, Roy Kupar Synrem said the organization filed an RTI application at the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest on August 14 this year.
Roy informed in the reply to queries on where the money is deposited and how the money is utilised by the government, the PIO said, “not available”.
He pointed to a condition in the Supreme Court’s order that Lafarge Umiam Mining Private Limited will deposit Rs 55 crore with interest at the rate of 9% per annum from April 1, 2007 till the date of payment.
“We asked the PCCF on whether the Lafarge deposited the money as per the direction of the Supreme Court. In reply, the PIO informed that Lafarge on July 14, 2010 deposited Rs 72, 66, 48, 893,” he added.
The money deposited by Lafarge will be utilised as per the guidelines of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
As for the utilization of money by Lafarge, he said, “We don’t know and we are not clear whether the state government has utilised the money or not. The money was already deposited since 2010.”