Dimapur, January 18 (MExN): Seeking information under the Right to Information Act (RTI) with regard to the proclamation of President’s Rule under Article 356, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) has moved the Public Information Officer attached to Raj Bhavan, Kohima and enclosed a list of fourteen questions to effectively challenge the proclamation of the President issued in relation to Nagaland on January 3, 2008, which is to be presented before the Guwahati High Court where a writ petition on the mater has been admitted on January 9, 2008.
Giving reasons for seeking detailed information on the issue, former Parliamentary Secretary (Law & Justice) Yitachu in a letter to the PIO, Raj Bhavan, Kohima pointed out that all connected information to serve as material for the court need not wait for Parliament to reassemble since the court is hearing the matter first before the Parliament could reassemble. The DAN representation which was written on January 16 has sought the information within 48 hours.
Among the questions raised, includes, the date or dates on which the Governor made his reports to the Union Government under Article 356 with details of such reports. It has also demanded the details of steps the Governor had taken since January 3 to “arrest the supposed failure of Constitutional machinery and also the specific measures taken to restore the supposedly failed constitutional machinery ii the State”.
Other information sought includes the number of advisors appointed to the Governor and when they reported to him besides asking about the significant advantages accrued to the State on account of the advisors and the total expenditure so far incurred on the advisors and what is the proposed expenditure on their further continuance.
It has also sought information on the dates on which the State Congress leaders met the Governor from 1st July, 2007 till 14th January, 2008 and the details of the discussions the Governor had with the State Congress leaders. Further information has been sought on the daily official engagements of the Governor from 1st December 2007 till 14th January 2008 with details of names of persons, officers and other dignitaries whom the Governor met and a copy of the minutes of each meeting in so far as they relate to the general duties and functions of the Governor as well as carrying on of general governance of the State.
The DAN representation has also asked for the list of details pertaining to official telephone calls made to the Union Home Minister’s Office, Prime Minister’s Office, External Affairs Minister, office of the Union Defence Minister and the President of AICC from 10th December, 2007 to 20th December 2007 and from 24th December 2007 to 12th January 2008. The print out of all official e-mail messages received and sent from official e-mail addresses of offices of Governor’s Secretariat from 10th December, 2007 to 10th January 2008 has also been sought.
