DIMAPUR, AUGUST 13 (MExN): Two RTI activists have alleged misappropriation of fund under Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection Department based on replies to their RTI applications.
A press note from the RTI activists, Odi Jamir and ST Yapang, informed that they had filed an RTI with the Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection Department on February 1, 2019, but were not satisfied with the replies.
The activists stated that as per the RTI replies, the department withdrew Rs 10 lakhs for setting up of Consumer Clubs in one hundred schools on March 7. However they found that the department have paid Rs. 10,000 each to only 33 schools (amounting to Rs. 3,30,000) and could not produce the utilisation of the remaining amount.
Meanwhile, on June 6, 2012, the department purchased five Thermometer Verification Kits, but the department could produce only 2 thermometer verification kit details, the activists said.
Citing another such case, the activists informed that on May 10, 2012, the department had given completion certificates and released a full amount of Rs. 26,92,300 to Ashlin Enterprises, Pune for construction of two Calibration Towers—one each at Dimapur and Kohima. “However the tower was not constructed at Kohima,” the pointed out.
Finally, the activists said that on September 29, 2011, the department purchased 85 Coin Operated Person Weighing Machines at the cost of Rs 20 lakhs and distributed them to the beneficiaries. “However, there is no record of beneficiaries list,” they said, while informed that “the same weighing machine was purchased on April 12, 2012 at the cost of Rs. 20 lakhs.”
The RTI activists said that “there are loopholes in audit procedures, and in future if such cases appear, we will file case against the auditors.”
“If necessary, we will request the appropriate agencies to examine the scam. However, if the concerned department takes up the necessary correctional work within 30 days on publication of this news, the case will be over on our part,” they stated.
