Judge T Vaiphei, of the Shillong Bench of the Court, in his judgment holding the Syiems as public authorities directed them to “find ways and means” to furnish information to the public under RTI.
The order of the High Court is significant as now information can be sought from Syiems and other functionaries of traditional bodies who are also responsible for implementation of various Centrally sponsored schemes like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
Under the District Councils, Syiems also collect tax in areas of their jurisdiction and this practice has continued for ages.
So far, the Syiems denied information to the public citing lack of fund to appoint officials like the Public Information Officer and others, necessary to furnish information to the public.
The Court held that lack of fund and manpower cannot be the ground to hold back information to the public.
“Lack of manpower and fund cannot be the ground to hold back information to the public, the Syiems must find ways and means to implement the RTI Act,” Alistar Diengdoh, counsel of the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People, said reading out the Court’s order.
FKJGP went to the Court after they were denied information under the RTI by the Syiem of Mylliem.
Earlier, the Meghalaya Chief Information Commissioner G P Wahlang ruled: “Syiems are administrative officers of the Autonomous District Councils as enshrined by Para 2(4) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. They, therefore, cannot hold backinformation from the public on matters of administration.”
