RTI awareness programme held
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Bishnupur, October 08 2021:
As part of the observation of Right to Information (RTI) Week, an awareness programme on RTI was held today at Conference Hall, Mini Secretariat in Bishnupur with the theme "Improving Transparency and Accountability in Government Through Effective Implementation of RTI Act" .
The programme was organised by State Academy of Training, Manipur with sponsorship from Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
Speaking on the occasion, N Brajakanta Singh, Faculty, Law Department, Manipur University stated that one of the main objectives of RTI Act is to contain corruption in the society and caution against providing 'manufactured facts' to information seekers.
He also presented the key features and procedures on RTI Act to the participants comprising ADC, AC to DC and DLOs of the district.
Replying to a query from one of the participants during the interaction session, Brajakanta informed that BPL applicants are exempted from paying any fees under the Act.
Information should be given within 30 days from the date on which the application is received whereas information concerning life or liberty of a person should be provided within 48 hours, he said.
Responding to another query on information held by another public authority, Brajakanta mentioned that such applications shall be transferred to the concerned public authority or more closely associated with the functions within five days.
Stating that the responsibility of APIOs is at the sub-divisional level, he pointed out that Public Information Officers are not duty bound to respond to hypothetical questions in RTI applications.