Aizawl, March 19: Members of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) today opposed the private resolution moved by Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) legislator Andrew Lalherliana to enact a Right to Information and Transparency in Public Procurement Act in the state.
The resolution was turned down by a voice vote taken by Speaker Lalchamliana.
Introducing the resolution, Lalherliana urged the members of both the treasury and the Opposition benches to pass the proposal because “all parties had promised it to the people during the campaign for the 2003 Assembly elections in their manifestos”.
Pointing out that the department of personnel and administrative reforms had already drawn up rules on the basis of Freedom of Information Act, 2002, parliamentary affairs minister H. Rammawi said it was unnecessary for the state to draw up an act when it could always use the Parliament’s Act.
Other members of the ruling party supported Rammawi and animal husbandry and veterinary minister Lalrinchhana said the state would be going against the Parliament if it passed an act on the right to information.
ZNP leader Lalduhoma, however, argued that the state required its own act to suit the socio-political needs of the people.
He argued that the leader of the House, who was present in an interview of political leaders by the social organisation, Mizo Zirlai Pawl, before the Assembly elections, had failed to mention that the government had already decided to draw up freedom to information rules. He had even promised to pass a Right to Information Act if his party came to power, Lalduhoma said.
Mizoram PCC leader Lalhmingthanga and Opposition leader Lalthanhawla supported the resolution and said the state needed its own act to meet the special needs of the people in terms of social and culture differences.
Lalthanhawla said the act was needed to safeguard democracy that would empower the people and thereby the democratic processes which, he said, was being bypassed by those in power.
Chief minister Zoramthanga said the Assembly was not empowered to pass the Right to Information Act as the subject was not on the state list.
