Agri dept clarifies on RTI allegation

Directorate of Agriculture has issued a clarification regarding allegations made by one Abel H Achumi against the department over alleged non-furnishing of complete information under the Right to Information Act 2005.
In a statement, the department referred to Achumi’s claims aired on a local news channel and on social media on March 11 and 13, and clarified that the RTI hearing was held on February 9, 2026. It stated that after hearing the parties, an appropriate order was passed by the First Appellate Authority and the relevant details were on official record.
The department further pointed out that under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act, if an appellant was not satisfied with the decision of the First Appellate Authority, a second appeal could be filed before the State Information Commission. It said that since Achumi had reportedly filed an appeal before the commission, the matter was now sub judice.
According to the department, the applicant had been informed to collect the requested information from the office of the SDAO, Meluri as per the order of the First Appellate Authority dated February 9 within 20 days of the hearing. However, it stated that the applicant had not collected the information till date. The department also denied allegations that misleading information had been furnished, stating that while the information provided might be incomplete, it was not misleading.
Regarding the non-disclosure of beneficiaries’ contact numbers and bank details, the department said such information was personal and exempted from disclosure under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act. The department added that since the matter was sub judice, it would abide by the decision and directives of the competent authority.