Agriculture department says it furnished RTI records to Dimapur District Congress Committee on September 21
DIMAPUR — The Directorate of Agriculture has denied allegations that it failed to disclose documents sought by the Dimapur District Congress Committee (DCC) under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, stating that the Public Information Officer (PIO) had furnished the required records on September 21.
In a press release issued on Thursday, Director of Agriculture Sanuzo Nienu said the allegations published by the DCC in local dailies were “without material basis”.
According to the department, the First Appellate Authority, through an order dated September 2, directed the PIO to provide the records sought by the appellants, particularly invoice and delivery challans, supply orders, notices for empanelment, a list of empanelled firms and payment records for the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Read more: Dimapur Congress gives Agriculture dept. 10 days to disclose records
The department stated that the PIO furnished the specified records and information in person on September 21.
It also pointed out that the RTI Act, 2005, provides for appeals when an applicant is dissatisfied with the decision of the First Appellate Authority, with such appeals to be made to the State Information Commission.
The department said it was “unfortunate” that the DCC had sought to air its grievances in the print media without availing itself of the remedy provided under the relevant Act. It described the ultimatum issued by the DCC as “meaningless” and urged the committee not to resort to such actions.