Shillong, October 22: The Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) has accused the Meghalaya Government of adopting double standards in transparency and accountability, particularly in the disclosure of public expenditure on legal services involving Advocate General Amit Kumar.
In a press statement, HYC Central Executive Committee (CEC) President Roy Kupar Synrem questioned the government’s inconsistent responses to applications filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, alleging selective disclosure of information relating to legal expenditure.
According to the HYC, RTI replies revealed that the Office of the Commissioner of Excise had refused to disclose department-wise legal expenditure involving Advocate General Amit Kumar, citing Section 8 of the RTI Act. In contrast, the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) had furnished year-wise details of legal fees paid to its legal adviser, a local lawyer from the state.
The council questioned why information concerning legal fees could be disclosed by one government agency while similar details involving the Advocate General were withheld by another. It also raised concerns over whether different standards were being applied to different lawyers when dealing with requests for information on public expenditure.
The HYC maintained that when crores of rupees of public money are involved, citizens have the right to know how government funds are being spent. It argued that provisions of the RTI Act should not be invoked selectively to deny information or shield public expenditure from legitimate scrutiny.
The organisation demanded that the state government explain the apparent inconsistency and ensure that information relating to public expenditure is disclosed in accordance with the law. “Public money demands public accountability,” the HYC stated, asserting that the government cannot claim to uphold transparency while withholding information in other cases.
The council further urged the authorities to adopt a uniform and transparent approach in handling RTI applications, stressing that accountability in the utilisation of public funds must apply equally across all government departments and agencies.
