RTI exposes doctored records to get OBC certificates
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 11 2011:
OBC certificates are being mis-used by sons and daughters of some high-ranking Government officials to sneak into the Home Department as Sub Inspectors, according to an RTI activist.
While seeking certain information by invoking the RTI Act, some information suggestive of the misuse of OBC certificates by daughters of some high-ranking officials during the recruitment of 72 women SI's last year were discovered.
One Laishram Sanatombi of Yairipok Bishnunaha Mayai Leikai sought certain information through RTI from the Home Department and the Imphal West Deputy Commissioner about the DPC held for recruitment of 72 women's SI's.Sanatombi was also a candidate of the same DPC.
Speaking to media persons this afternoon, RTI activist W Joykumar said that Sanatombi participated in the DPC with high hopes.
She got 18 marks in physical test, 29.5 in written test and 6 marks in viva voce.
She was hopeful that she would be selected without lobbying or bribery but her hope turned to despair when the results
were declared.
Suspicious about the OBC certificates used by some candidates who got selected, Sanatombi filed RTI applications to the Home Department as well as the Imphal DC seeking certain information.
From the Home Department, she sought detailed information about the age proof documents, OBC certificates and answer sheets of the selected candidates and also the seats reserved for sportspersons.
The results of the DPC were declared on January 30 .
From the Imphal West DC, Sanatombi sought information about the details of application forms submitted by Ronita Maisnam and Potshangbam Linthoinganbi to avail OBC certificates and income certificates submitted by them.
She also raised the question of whether or not Ronita and Linthoingambi who got recruited belong to the creamy layer or are legitimately entitled to OBC status.
The application filed at the Home Department was disposed on August 16 last year.
However, as for the second application filed with the Imphal West DC, there was no response.
The State Public Information Officer replied that the required documents could not be located.
It was also informed that SDC P Pramoti and Dealing Assistant K Manoranjan were responsible for losing the documents, Joykumar said.
According to rules, officials of Class I, Grade I and Class II, Grade B and their families cannot possess OBC certificates.
But on enquiry it has been discovered that Ronita Maisnam and Potshangbam Linthoingambi belong to the category who cannot possess OBC certificates.
However, efforts to confirm the matter have been derailed as the documents have been deliberately lost.
Joykumar went to demand dismissal of Imphal West DC staff P Pramoti and K Manoranjan for deliberately losing the document.
He also urged for an enquiry to find out whether or not Ronita Maisnam and Linthoingambi can possess OBC certificates.