NIC summons four Departmental PIOs

Kohima, May 9: The Nagaland Information Commission (NIC) has summoned four state Government departments to appear before it on May 15, perhaps this is first such summon on Right to Information Act (RTI) in the country.

According to official sources here today the summon was a follow up of hearings on April 18 and 19 in the presence of the full Commission and concerned Public Information Officers and appellate authorities of the departments.

The departments are Works and Housing, Public Health Engineering, Forest, Ecology, Environment and Wildlife and Soil and Water Conservation.

The appeals were filed by K.C.Angami, president of a contractors' union, seeking information on various works being executed by these departments. Information sought by the appellant include copy of notice inviting tender with clips of all newspaper advertisements, copy of work orders, bills of quantities, contract agreement, comparative statement of tenders.

The Commission had observed that information sought had not been given to the appellants on time, causing delay. The PIOs are to show cause why they should not pay a penalty of Rs 250 per day, subject to a maximum of Rs 25,000. The Commission has also directed the concern PIOs to inquire and fix responsibility on each of the staff of their office who contributed to the delay in furnishing information and to also appear before the Commission, sources said.

UNI