IT News
Imphal, Sept 1:
In connection with the news report published in Imphal Times under the heading “MSPDCL yet to provide information regarding Saubhagaya Scheme” on August 31 issue, Power Minister Th. Biswajit clarifies that the MSPDCL is ready to provide all information regarding the implementation of the Saubhagaya Scheme through the Manipur Information Commission. He also said that report appearing in the Imphal Times is incorrect as Imphal Times has not applied RTI application in the matter, but one Khumanthem Dhanachandra from Naoremthong Laishram Leirak applied the RTI application on seeking information, which the MSPDCL is ready to provide.
In regards to the report about the top official of the corporation trying to negotiate with the representative of Imphal Times, the Minister said that it was a concocted story. The Power Minister sought clarification from the Imphal Times on who are those persons trying to negotiate that matter.
Here Imphal Times clarifies for the information of the Power Minister that Imphal Times has never mentioned any misappropriation of the Saubhagaya Scheme. However, Imphal Times is not satisfied with a responsible government employee calling the editor and asking for withdrawal of the RTI in exchange for a few tips.
On August 3, 2022, at around 4 pm, a staff of the MSPDCL called the editor of Imphal Times to talk over some matter. The Managing Director and Executive Director of the MSPDCL, along with the editor, discussed the matter at the official room of MD MSPDCL at Secure building as the RTI applicant happened to be a reporter for Imphal Times. All those are on record. As such agreement/negotiation is unethical, our reporter, with the permission of the Editor, didn’t withdraw the RTI application.
The Power Minister also clarifies that the Saubhagaya scheme is one of the best schemes implemented by the MSPDCL. Maybe the Minister is right. Imphal Times didn’t say anything about any misappropriation of funds. We published the report as provided on the official website of Saubhagaya.
The Minister had also said that whatever information sought through the RTI can be provided, and the MSPDCL is ready to provide the information, but officials of MSPDCL declined to provide the information sought during the course of the hearing. It seems like there is a huge miscommunication between the MSPDCL and the minister regarding this matter.
Imphal Times suspects that the Power Minister has not been well informed about the situation arisen, and that is the reason why the Imphal Times felt it necessary to report this matter. And thanked the concerned Minister for his timely intervention on the said matter.
