RTI Week Celebration concludes
Karam Shyam says RTI is necessary for ensuring transparency & accountability of Govt activities
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, October 09 2018:
CAF & PD Minister Karam Shyam conveyed that the Right to Information Act should be exercised properly so that the act serves its purpose to the public.
He conveyed this at the closing ceremony of Right To Information Week Celebration at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound today.
Karam Shyam said that the Act is rather very important in Manipur for ensuring full transparency and accountability of the different activities and functioning of the Government for the service and interest of the public.
Deputy Chairman (Manipur State Planning Board), Sorokhaibam Rajen Singh, Chief information Commissioner, Th Ibobi Singh, Information Commissioners Dr S Ibocha Singh and Oinam Sunil Singh attended the function as president and guests of honour respectively.
The function was organized by Manipur Information Commission under the sponsorship of Department of Personnel & Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension, Government of India, New Delhi.
Comparing India with other civilized foreign countries, the Minister stated that RTI is not required to the same extent as needed here in Manipur as the public face critical situations and challenges in connection with bringing transparency in governance unlike them.
He said, RTI activists should have ample knowledge and will power to be, able to perform their tasks effectively and efficiently, he added.
Elected leaders should not curtail the rights of the people in any way and use the local area developed funds entrusted to them in the interest of the public, he assured.
Appealing the students to create a State_ without the need for RTI Act, Minister Shyam said that honesty should be inculcated from childhood.
Meanwhile, S Rajen highlighted that State Govt's schemes regarding health and start-up programmes, with a total investment of Rs 3 crore with 30 per cent subsidy for innovative youth, should reach the rightful hands of the people.
He also appealed the officials and RTI activists present at the function not to misuse the act for personal gains.
Manipur strongly needs RTI to maintain quality, bring sound development in all departments and strive for a corruption-free State.
Sharing his knowledge.on RTI and its need in Manipur, Chief Information Commissioner Th Ibobi stated that information exchange is very important as the public should use RTI for the right purpose, apart from bringing transparency and accountability.
Amarjit Okram, Namrata Chinglembi Konsam and Tourangbam Sonia Serafina clinched the top 3 spots of the RTI essay competition.
Govt officials of related Departments, Public Information officials, Zilla Parishad members, RTI activists students took part in the ceremony.