'Manipulated/contradictory RTI disclosures submitted to the NSIC needs an inquiry'
Dimapur, June 17 (MExN): The new anti-corruption watchdog, People for Democratic Rights (PDR), has alleged irregularities in appointment matters of the Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection (LMCP) Department, Government of Nagaland, found through the voluntary RTI yearly disclosures furnished to the Nagaland State Information Commission (NSIC).
The PDR stated that it studied the RTI disclosures and “detected various anomalies regarding backdoor appointments, ghost names, double names within the Department, contradictory appointment dates, early promotion against laid down rules etc. All such irregularities concern close relations of certain officers in the Department by manipulating and rewriting existing official records,” it alleged in a press release issued today by its Publicity Wing Convener.
LDA to UDA
As per RTI disclosure of 2012-2013, according to the PDR, the date of first appointment of a ‘certain female’ as LDA-cum-C/Asstt is mentioned as 01-08-2008 whereas in the RTI disclosure of 2014-2015, her date of first appointment is shown as 23-05-2013, both with same date of birth as 10-03-1990 and same designation thus “contradicting Department’s own earlier record.”
Further, in RTI disclosure of 2016-17, her date of first appointment still shows 23-05-2013 yet by that time she has already become a UDA and the date of appointment to that promoted post is shown as 01-03-2016. “Being promoted to UDA in less than three years after joining service as LDA breaks all promotion rules and she superseded senior colleagues. Another question arises as to when did she first join the Department: 01-08-2008 or 23-05-2013?” wondered the PDR. In the 2012-13 RTI disclosure, only the first name of her father is mentioned while in the RTI disclosure of 2014-15 and 2016-17, her father’s full name is mentioned. “This was a backdoor appointment,” maintained the PDR.
Peon to Inspector
As per RTI disclosure of 2011-2012, the designation of a ‘certain male employee’ is shown as Peon in Kohima District Office. RTI disclosure 2012-2013 still mentions his designation as Peon with date of birth as 05-10-1992 and ‘Date of first appointment’ shown as 10-10-2007. However, in RTI disclosure of 2014-2015, the same person with same date of birth as mentioned in previous RTI disclosures, is now mentioned as an Inspector with ‘Date of first appointment’ as 04-03-2014. Additionally, RTI disclosure of 2016-17 mentions the same person’s ‘Date of entry into service/first appointment’ and ‘Date of appointment to present post’ as 04-03-2014. “The contradictory dates of entry into service in different RTI disclosures reflect a clear picture of manipulation/backdoor appointment. This is a case of a Peon being promoted to the post of an Inspector, a post covered under NPSC. If the case is not of a Peon being promoted to Inspector, then the different dates of entry into service clearly shows manipulation of service records to make backdoor appointments,” noted the PDR.
Different appointment dates
As per 2012-13 RTI disclosure, another female (Inspector) with date of birth 18-04-86, the date of first appointment is shown as 05-11-2010. However, in RTI 2016-17 disclosure, her date of entry into service/first appointment and date of appointment to the present post is shown as 04-11-2010.
“Two different dates of appointment has been furnished thus leaving enough room for people to conclude that such contradicting dates arose owing to manipulations in the backdoor appointment. Her date of birth remains the same in both the RTI disclosures yet the spelling of father’s name differs.”
As per 2012-13 RTI disclosure, another female’s (LDA-CUM-c/Asstt) date of first appointment is mentioned as 01-11-2010 and date of birth as 05-01-1985. Whereas as per 2014-15 RTI disclosure with the same date of birth, she is shown to be appointed on 03-05-2010. “Two contradicting service records being submitted to the NSIC,” pointed out PDR.
“Such contradicting service records show clear manipulation galore in the Department flooded with backdoor appointments,” the PDR stated.
It also quoted some more examples of manipulation.
Manipulation & nepotism
All these irregularities in the Department exhibit an “uncontrolled high degree of manipulation and nepotism practised by those in powerful positions.”
“Out of turn promotions and backdoor appointments are a serious matter which needs to be deeply inquired into. Manipulated/contradictory RTI disclosures submitted to the NSIC needs an inquiry by the appropriate authority.
Misleading the public with false information through the very RTI Act meant to provide honest and truthful disclosures and by the very Department meant to protect the interest of the consumers and public should be dealt with appropriately,” stated the PDR while appealing to the Chief Information Commissioner, Nagaland, to take urgent cognizance of such “manipulated/false RTI disclosures” submitted to its office and take action upon the department and officers for “misleading the high office of NSIC and the public.”
Meanwhile, the PDR demanded proper explanation from the LMCP Department to look into these issues at the earliest and to take immediate action.
