DIMAPUR, JUNE 15 (MExN): The Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) have decided to withdraw the appeal made to the Central Information Commission (CIC) for denial of information by the State Government after the Chief Secretary Office PIO on June 14 forwarded the RTI reply of the Cabinet Secretariat.
The NPRAAF had sought a response through an RTI from the State Government on the facilities provided to the non- legislators recently appointed in the rank of Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State, while also seeking to know under which provision of Law the appointments were made, which however was not forthcoming.
While acknowledging the RTI reply, the NPRAAF in a press release on Friday however said it was not satisfied with the response. For one, it stated that during the appointment of the Advisors, oath of secrecy by the Chief Minister were not administered, which was a clear violation of the Nagaland Rules of Executive 2016.
The NPRAAF also said the appointment of Advisors was illegal as it went against the Supreme Court judgment on the issue. It further pointed out that The Nagaland Rules of Executives 2016, in Rules 5 (3) & (4) clearly expounds that the powers of Parliamentary Secretaries and Advisors are same in nature, therefore appointments of Advisors goes against the spirit of Article 164 (1A) of the constitution of India.
While appreciating the Government of Nagaland for not providing any facilities, including perks, salaries and other allowances to all PDA members except the Chairman and Co-Chairman of PDA members as per the RTI reply, the NPRAAF however demanded that all facilities provided to the PDA Chairman and Co-Chairman should also be removed immediately.
The NPRAAF has also expressed surprise that some PDA members were illegally using the National flag in their cars which it said was “nothing but flaunting their self importance status.” It has therefore urged the State Government to have a grip on its PDA members to avoid further embarrassment.
Meanwhile, the NPRAAF said it has communicated to the Chief Secretary and other important elected members in the PDA government about its desire to settle the issue once and for all by having a sitting with the Chief Minister.
