SHILLONG, Oct 22: The Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) on Thursday accused the state government of practicing “double standards” on transparency, citing conflicting responses to RTI queries regarding legal fees paid to Advocate General Amit Kumar and a local advocate engaged by the Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC).
In a statement, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem noted that the Office of the Commissioner of Excise refused to disclose department-wise legal expenses involving the Advocate General, citing exemption under Section 8 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. In contrast, the MTDC furnished year-wise details of legal fees paid to its legal adviser, who is a local lawyer from the state.
Questioning the discrepancy, the HYC asked why details of legal remuneration could be disclosed by one public authority but withheld by another when the queries pertained to the Advocate General.
Asserting that citizens have a right to know how public funds are spent—particularly when large sums are involved—the council urged the government to clarify the apparent inconsistency and ensure expenditure records are made public in accordance with the law.
“Public money demands public accountability,” Synrem said, adding that the government cannot claim to uphold transparency while shielding public expenditure from scrutiny.