Dimapur, July 3 (EMN): A citizen who used the Right to Information (RTI) to comb for information about some retired government officials reportedly still using government vehicles, has declared readiness for a contest in the court of law if he has done anything wrong in said issue.
The RTI applicant reminded that he had engaged the RTI mechanism ‘with the sole purpose and object for fairness and reasonableness in the functioning of public authority.’ It never targeted any particular person or persons, he said. Citizen ST Yapang Lkr issued a press release on Monday. The citizen issued the press release in response to one Dr. Vikuotuolie Angami, stated to be a retired engineer in chief and whose statement reportedly appeared on June 28.
“As per the office memorandum No TPT/SPL/50/2002 (PT-1) dated 13.02.2012issued by the chief secretary, Nagaland the span of government vehicles for condemnation is 10 years,” citizen Yapang Lkr stated.
“The relevant portion of the said OM says- Henceforth, the normal life span of Govt. vehicle for the purpose for condemnation shall be raised from 8 years to 10 years, unless there are special reasons for doing so.
The press release stated: “I have initiated the RTI application with the sole purpose and object for fairness and reasonableness in the functioning of public authority. It was never bias nor targeted any particular person or persons.”
Further, he reminded that the statement “threatening the retired officers for approaching the court is very unfortunate and inviting serious problems which may put him in a very undesirable position” was “absolutely a confusing and misleading statement.”
Likewise, the RTI applicant referred to a reported statement that “RTI applicant as the most ignorant person as you never know about the pros and cons of the government vehicle condemnation process.”
The citizen responded to it but calling it “untenable and the same is justify by the said OM dated 13.02.2012.”
“You know better from which date you are illegally possessing the public vehicle which is undisputedly evident by the RTI reply letter No.E-IN-C/ESTT-8/RTI/16-17 (pt) dated 31.05.2017 issued by the Deputy Chief Engineer & PIO, NPWD, Nagaland. You retired from public services w.e.f. 20.01.2013 as Engineer-in-Chief, NPWD, Nagaland,” Yapang Lkr reminded.
Likewise, the press release referred to another statement: “ your false statement given to the higher authority of the government will attract criminal defamation suit against you as you considered yourself to be above the condemnation Board constituted by the government.”
The citizen reminded that the statement was a threat and intimidation.
“My letter dated 22.06.2017addressed to the chief secretary was on the basis of the department RTI reply letter dated 31.05.2017. I, as a bonafide citizen of India belonging to Ao Naga community has constitutional rights and obligations to initiate appropriate measures in democratic manner for ensuring transparency and accountability in public authority, It is factually incorrect that I acted above the condemnation board. The department RTI reply letter dated 31.05.2017 speaks undoubtedly clear,” the press release declared.
“By initiating this matter, if I am drag to any criminal defamation case, I and my well wishers are ever ready to contest the case before the competent court of law.”
