DIMAPUR, MAY 25: Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has written an RTI application to the Chief Information Commissioner, Nagaland Information Commission (NIC) to issue necessary direction to the Home Department to furnish information to NPRAAF under RTI Act 2005 regarding the High Powered Committee on Illegal and Multiple Taxation which was constituted in August 2014 and the report submitted in June 2015.The forum said, since the HPC had submitted its report directly to the Chief Minister, the NPRAFF had also filed an RTI application to the Chief Minister/PIO requesting a copy of full report of the HPC.
The forum however said, the application was re-directed by the CMO to the Home Department.
Information & Publicity Cell, NPRAAF in a press note said, The Home Department through its letter dated 12/05/16 denied the HPC report to NPRAAF stating that the information cannot be furnished since the report is under active examination by a Committee headed by the Chief Secretary.
The NPRAAF viewed the denial of information as denial of fundamental rights under the Constitution of India.
“The HPC report was sought in recognition of Section 8 (1) of the RTI Act 2005 which states,” that the information which cannot be denied to the Parliament or a State Legislature shall not be denied to any person.”
NPRAAF said, NIC has verbally informed that it will conduct a hearing with the Home Department in the presence of NPRAAF to give reasons why information sought under RTI Act was not furnished and necessary actions be taken, if necessary. “The date of hearing is to be fixed and intimated by the NIC.”
