TUR takes exception to the comments made by K Hynniewta regarding TUR’s findings via RTI regarding MIPA. TUR is in no way making “baseless allegations” as claimed by Mr Hynniewta but rather sharing information based on official documents including notesheets received through RTI. Mr Hynniewta’s statement is aimed at casting aspersions on TUR & the RTI process that we have used in the past and in this case. We wish to point to the fact that this is not the first time that Mr. Hynniewta is willfully concealing information & wish to point out that even the State Information Commission had issued a warning to him during our appeal hearing, the order of which is shared here & in the link hokmeghalaya.in regarding this. Official documents issued from the letter head of MIPA & signed by Mr. Hynniewta himself indicate that MIPA is initiating & convening meetings regarding “repurposing” of land where departments are being summoned for meetings for the same. Official documents to this effect including petitions from civil society against this take over of land are also shared here and in hokmeghalaya.in.
Mr. Hynniewta continues to make mendacious statements that all of MIPAs functioning is available in the public domain. This is false & misleading. The website has no disclosures whatsoever & MIPAs functioning is indeed opaque which prompted us to put this fact in our RTI first appeal application. A section of this appeal is sent as attachment here.
The press statement issued by Mr Hynniewta is clearly with malafide intention to undermine citizens’ efforts to use information received through the RTI to ensure transparency & accountability in governance. As citizens, it is not only our fundamental right but our fundamental duty to use processes of law to be heard & to participate in governance.
Hok Meghalaya 