Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Imphal: The Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in Manipur is under fire after RTI filings exposed significant financial discrepancies in its recent procurement of photography equipment. Documents obtained by Khumanthem Dhanachandra reveal that the department spent Rs. 14,00,000 on four Canon EOS R7 cameras, paying Rs. 3,50,000 per unit.
This expenditure appears inflated when compared to official market pricing. The Canon India website lists the same camera bundled with a lens at Rs. 1,75,995, roughly half the amount paid by the government. The invoice, dated 9 February 2026, also detailed various accessories totaling nearly Rs. 1,00,000, including items like a spare battery priced at Rs. 32,000 and a camera rain cover at Rs. 12,000.
Public concern has grown regarding the department's internal approval processes. Critics are questioning whether the agency conducted necessary market surveys, technical evaluations, or competitive bidding before finalizing the purchases. Given the DIPR's role in promoting government transparency, these allegations have sparked intense debate about institutional accountability.
Calls for an independent inquiry into the procurement process are mounting. Transparency advocates and legal experts suggest that if financial rules were violated or rates manipulated, officials could face legal consequences. Dhanachandra has announced his intention to involve an independent investigating agency to probe the irregularities further.
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