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31 May 2012

“Municipality does not maintain records in a systematic manner”- Municipality President CPRM Secretary, files RTI against Municipality, receives startling explanations

MUKESH SHARMA KALIMPONG, May 30: CPRM KPG SEC MOHAN POUDYAL The Right to Information (RTI) Act implemented by the Government of India (GOI) provides liberty to any citizen to request information from a public authority which is required to reply expeditiously or within thirty days. But much lately, brow raising facts has been come under the light through this Act in the region. Taking the support of this Act, the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) Secretary Mohan Poudyal, had filed an RTI on March 30, 2012 to the Darjeeling District Magistrate (DM) and the Information Officer. His questions enquired about the funds released by the State/ Central Government to the Kalimpong Municipality from April 1994 till March 2012, details of development works along with name of the works, locations and areas since April 1994 till March 2012 and list of the beneficiaries under the Housing Scheme in different heads of the State/ Central Government since April 1994 till march 2012.
The DM on April 16 had directed the Municipality to provide the necessary information. The Municipality President, Retd IAS, LB Pariyar taking the direction answered Poudyal’s enquiries through a letter on May 11. The reply read, “Unlike Government offices this Municipality does not maintain records in a systematic manner. Some files according to the direction of the Chairman and the Board of Councilors of the concerned period may have been maintained, but they too in a very limited basis. 1 or 2 years old papers may be traceable, but no old papers are easily traceable. So, we regret to say that it is not possible to reply on your questions (i) and (ii). As for question (iii), the list of the beneficiaries is enclosed herewith”. Surprised by the Municipality’s answer, Poudyal asserted that it is shameful for a Government Department not to keep proper track of its finances and where it has been used. The Municipality President has therefore accepted the fact that they have not recorded how much funds have been received for the public development and where and how the funds have been used. This proves that the money meant for the public has been misused by some people, he underlined. This can happen only in Kalimpong, where files having record of crores of fund goes missing and there is no mention of these funds anywhere, said the Secretary in disbelief. “Even a small Club keeps its record properly, but it is a disgrace that the Municipality cannot do so”, stated Poudyal. Hence, he demanded a thorough investigation by the Government in this grave issue. Lastly, Poudyal also questioned the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) that, “Will the general public benefit this way or are these funds only to fill the pockets of some corrupted people?”
(kalimpongnewsexpress.blogspot.in)

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