A complaint was filed against the Managing Director of MSPDCL for playing delay tactics in providing information
IT News
Imphal, Sept 16:
The Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) is playing delay tactics in providing information related to the Saubhagya Scheme. The Manipur Information Commission passed an order on September 1, 2022, to provide the documents sought on or before September 10, 2022.
As per the Managing Director of MSPDCL’s letter No. 4/7/2022/MSPDCL-TI/Legal dated September 9, 2022, which the Imphal Times team received on September 12, it is informed to collect the documents by depositing a photocopy fee during office hours. As per MD’s letter, our team went to the Office of the MSPDCL on Monday, September 12 to deposit and collect the documents. When we reached the office, we were informed by a concerned staff of the MSPDCL that the photocopying of the documents was not finished. So, we were then informed to come on September 14 to collect the documents.
As informed, our team again went to the MSPDCL office on September 14 to collect the documents on September 12, but the staff who informed us to come on September 14 was not available in the office, we asked other employees in the office about him, but they had no information. After talking with one employee, he informed our team that the concerned employee had taken leave.
Later on, the MD of MSPDCL, through its staff, informed our team to give another two or three days to provide the documents. If the photocopy of the documents was not finished, then why was the Managing Director informed to collect the documents during office hours?
This act of the Managing Director is nothing but a mockery of the RTI Act. Why is MSPDCL playing delay tactics time and again while providing documents? If nothing is wrong with implementing the said scheme, then why is MSPDCL afraid to provide the documents?
This is a huge dishonour to the RTI Act and the Manipur Information Commission should take serious action against the Managing Director of MSPDCL.
Earlier, the Power Minister also assured that all the documents would be given after the Manipur Information Commission’s decision. The MSPDCL has dishonoured the assurance given by the Power Minister.
The Power Minister assuring the information would be given after the MIC decision in a press conference called by the Minister himself and his department not providing information till the end of the stipulated time given by the MIC means the authorities of MSPDCL didn’t respect the assurance given by the concerned Power Minister. This raises the question of whether MSPDCL is above the Power Minister.
As MSPDCL is playing delay tactics, our team has filed a complaint against MSPDCL with the Manipur Information Commission to schedule an emergency hearing and to order the Managing Director of MSPDCL to be present at all the upcoming hearings and to recommend disciplinary proceedings and a penalty under the provisions of the RTI Act.
Team Imphal Times will never remain silent till the information sought is provided by the MSPDCL.
