Housing Ministry has acknowledged that it failed to attend a hearing held by the Information Commissioner (ICOM) due to negligence by an employee. In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry confirmed that disciplinary action has been initiated against the employee under Civil Service Rules.

The ministry emphasised its commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that it prioritises timely responses to requests under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The penalty imposed by ICOM on November 7, 2024, was linked to the employee's failure to comply with procedures.

In addition to addressing the specific incident, the ministry said it is working to strengthen internal processes to prevent similar issues in the future. This marks the first time ICOM has imposed a penalty of MVR 350 on the Housing Ministry for non-attendance at a hearing without providing an explanation as required by the rules.