Guwahati, May 17 -- While the Assam government insists there is no financial crisis, a shocking RTI reply has exposed a different reality-a government office so cash-strapped that it asked a citizen to pay for envelopes and stationery to process an RTI application.

The revelation came from the Golaghat District Territorial Building Division of PWD (Building and National Highway).

In response to an RTI filed by activist Dipul Jyoti Hazarika, Executive Engineer Pankaj Borah not only responded partially to queries regarding infrastructure development schemes but also demanded Rs 250 to cover stationery and Rs 50 postal costs.

The breakdown of the demand included: Rs 190 for 38 copies at Rs 5 per page, Rs 10 for an envelope, and Rs 50 for ...