The Manipur state information commission has directed the education department (schools), in the state to provide a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to an applicant for its failure to provide information sought under the RTI Act.

Imphal East resident Bidyapati Laishram filed an application in the directorate of education (schools) on May 9, 2007.

Bidyapati had sought information regarding written test and viva-voce of the science graduate teacher recruitment examination held in the year 2006.

On not getting any response from the Public Information Officer (PIO) and appellate authority, she approached the state information commission.

On September 10, 2007, the commission had asked the PIO to furnish information to Bidyapati in a week’s time. However, the department did not comply with the order.

The response, according to the information commission, was “unusual” and “ridiculous.”

“Withholding of the information had led the applicant suffer both mentally and physically in attending the office of the commission on each hearing day during such a long period for which she deserves compensation,” said the order.

During the hearing, the PIO argued that he did not receive the asked documents from the concerned officers and hence, could not provide the same to the applicant.

The commission rejected the arguments and said: “Commission is of the view that it is the responsibility of the department to trace the documents, fix responsibility for keeping the documents and file criminal case against such officers who are intentionally hiding the documents.”