The Housing Ministry has been fined by MVR 350 for failing to attend a hearing held by the Information Commissioner.

ICOM stated today that a member of the public had requested information from the Housing Ministry under the Right to Information Act. When the Housing Ministry did not respond to the request, the matter was brought to ICOM.

ICOM said that a hearing was scheduled for the 7th of this month regarding this case, and the Housing Ministry was notified. However, the Housing Ministry did not attend the hearing.

ICOM stated that according to the Right to Information Regulation, if unable to attend a scheduled hearing due to a valid reason, this should be communicated at least one hour before the scheduled start time of the meeting.

However, as the Housing Ministry did not inform the reason for non-attendance in accordance with the regulation, ICOM said they fined the ministry MVR 350.

This is the first time ICOM has taken such action in response to non-attendance at a hearing.