The ruling came in the wake of a petition filed by the Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP), an NGO, alleging non-compliance of the Syiem of Hima (chiefdom) Mylliem to furnish information on revenue collection of the Hima (traditional Khasi state).
While examining the petition, Wahlang, observed that the Syiem (chieftain) was an administrative officer of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) as enshrined by Para 2(4) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and as confirmed by the Supreme Court in a case between T Cajee and Jormanik Syiem.
The CIC, in its ruling last week, said all the traditional heads are public servants duly appointed by the respective ADCs and hence they automatically attract the provisions of Rule 2 (h) of the RTI Act.
Earlier in the month of January this year, FKJGP had filed a RTI application with the office of the Syiem of Mylliem seeking information on the status of revenue collection and expenditure of the Syiem. Till date the Syiem has not responded claiming that his office was not within the purview of the RTI Act.