Macha Leima to impart training
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 22, 2012:
With help of the British High Commission, Macha Leima would be imparting training to women activists so as to enable them seek and elicit necessary information through Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005 without any sense of fear or reservation.
In the same line, a training programme christened ‘Empowering Women through Use of RTI Act 2005' was opened today at Macha Leima office, Palace Compound.
The inaugural function was attended by Prof Chongtham Priyoranjan of Manipur University, former AMWJU president Leihaothabam Saratchandra and Macha Leima Human Right Committee/RTI women wing president Thokchom Muhini as chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.
Giving key-note address of the opening function, Macha Leima RTI co-ordinator T Demona said that women would have more and more strength as much as they have access to information and knowledge.
It was with this belief that the Macha Leima RTI Apunba Nupi Lup was set up on February 15, 2009. Since then, a movement to exercise Right to Information (RTI) Act to elicit all necessary information was launched together with womenfolk of the State, Demona said.
Many women were harassed and threatened when they invoked RTI and applied to provide them certain information.
She remarked that the Manipur Information Commission was there just for name's sake.
Instead of penalising bureaucrats who are refusing to divulge information, the Commission has been cushioning them, she alleged.
She further appealed to all the women of both rural and urban areas to join the Macha Leima's RTI movement so that those forfeiting public rights and shares are exposed and given exemplary punishment.
Later, three women narrated their bitter experiences resulting from filing applications through Right to Information (RTI).