SHILLONG, Feb 13: RTI activist Disparsing Rani on Monday slammed Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong for trying to mislead people.
Rani told reporters Tynsong had asked why he (Rani) had not sought information from the state government on the Covid-19 expenditures instead of filing an RTI application with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. “I had filed an RTI with the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) seeking information on the funds borne by the Centre. The reply I got was mentioned as “not applicable”. It is due to this that I was compelled to seek information from the ministry,” Rani said.
The activist, however, said the DHS was kind enough to refer his query on financial assistance for Covid-19 deaths to the Revenue and Disaster Management department. He said his question on funds for Covid-19 expenditure in the state should have been referred to the authority concerned in the same way.
Rani said Section 6(3) of the RTI Act, 2005 clearly mentioned that the Public Information Officer (PIO) must transfer an RTI application to the authority possessing the required information within five days of receiving it and inform the applicant accordingly.
“But this was not done. This only gives the impression that there is something behind which prevented the department from sharing the information,” he said.
VPP’s North Shillong candidate Adelbert Nongrum had on February 9 filed an FIR with the Sadar police station demanding an inquiry as regards the amount of Rs 43 crore, claimed to be unaccounted for out of the Rs 119 crore received as central grants-in-aid through National Health Mission for Covid-19 activities, as flagged by Rani.
Nongrum alleged that there was an attempt to misuse the funds. He recalled that replying to his query during the Autumn Session of the Assembly, Health Minister James PK Sangma had stated that Rs 76 crore was sanctioned by the Centre for Covid-19 management.
Meanwhile, Rani slammed the Chief Minister for his statement that he did not receive any letter from the authority which said the NPP needs to obtain an NOC from the office of the Deputy Commissioner before going ahead with the construction of party office.
According to Rani, it was clearly mentioned in the agreement signed between the DC’s office and the NPP that an NOC is required. He said the signing of an agreement with the DC is necessary for the acquisition of land, whether it is in European Ward or revenue land.
“It is really sad that the CM is not aware of this procedure which has been clearly laid down. I have a copy of the DPR. But the NOC from the DC’s office was missing,” the activist said.
Meanwhile, he said it is “unacceptable” that the Deputy CM is trying to question him on his RTI finding.
He said he can also question the government on the pending issues such as Them Metor (Harijan Colony), smart meters, four-laning of the Shillong-Dawki road from Umshyrpi to Hynniew Mer (7th Mile), restoring legal mining and boundary dispute with Assam.
