Aizawl: Mizoram’s main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) on Friday accused the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government of undermining the Right to Information (RTI) Act and alleged that it was attempting to withhold agreements signed with private hospitals under the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme (MUHCS).

MNF general secretary J Malsawmzuala Vanchhawng said the State Information Commission had directed the government to provide copies of the agreements by October 12, following a court order.

Speaking at a party meeting at the MNF office, Vanchhawng alleged that the government had tried to prevent the disclosure of the agreements despite his seeking them under the RTI Act.

“The government drafted the agreement with private hospitals and is now trying to keep it secret. Even MLAs could not obtain the details,” he claimed.

He said that the government had approached the High Court after the Information Commission directed it to disclose the documents.

The court had observed that the agreement concerned public interest and the use of public funds and should be made public, he added.

Vanchhawng accused the ZPM government of misusing the RTI Act, which is intended to promote transparency and enable citizens to access information about government functioning. “If the government continues to function in this manner without correcting itself, it will be detrimental to the state.

The MNF will continue to fight to protect the rights and interests of the people,” he said.

Vanchhawng alleged that the government was increasingly reluctant to share information with the public, claiming that even the chief minister and ministers were unwilling to respond to RTI queries.

He said transparency was essential for a functioning democracy and played a crucial role in preventing corruption and the misuse of power.

Vanchhawng further alleged that several RTI applications were not being answered within the stipulated time and criticised a response from the Chief Minister’s Office, claiming that it was inadequate and failed to properly address the questions raised.

Describing the alleged lapses as an abuse of authority and a violation of the law, he urged the government to change its approach to handling RTI applications.