Minister Dingo calls for judicious use of RTI
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 05 2022:
A weeklong observance of Right to Information Week being organised by Manipur Information Commission began from Wednesday at SCERT conference hall, Lamphel, here.
Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, social welfare minister Heikham Dingo stressed the need for eradicating corruption in order to bring development in the state.
The Manipur Information Commission has been playing its role in bringing transparency and accountability in the state and will continue its service, he assured.
Apart from RTI, the government led by Chief Minister N Biren has been taking up initiatives to root out corruption by setting up anti-corruption cell.
While RTI plays a crucial role in checking corruption, it is also important for the public to use this tool judiciously and not for some personal benefits, he said.
State chief information commissioner Oinam Sunil said that RTI week is observed to commemorate the passing of the Act in the parliament on October 12, 2005 .
The Act is a very helpful tool for the public to check transparency and accountability in the government and its functions.
Unfortunately, there are still some people who use this tool for gaining some personal benefits instead of helping in rooting out corruption, he said and called for using the Act as a useful tool of public movement.
After a threadbare discussion and a series of consultation, the Commission had ruled that village authorities in hill district will be covered under RTI Act since they exist under the Village Authority Act of the government.
Intelligence, security agencies and state police are not covered by RTI and they have SPIO to investigate corruption charges.
There are several pending cases in the High Court against the judgment made by the Commission.
Similarly, there are also several pending cases against SPIO rulings.
Besides, RTI activists often get threats, which make it difficult to dispose of cases in time, he said.
Corruption deep-rooted in the society and it is the most common and difficult issue that the commission is facing.
Since the system is run by representatives elected by the corrupt society, the commission finds the fight against corruption to be the biggest challenge, he added.
He further said that the RTI week observance is giving extra emphasis on SPIO and government officials in order to bring transparency and accountability in governance.
Kakching MLA M Rameshwar attended the event as guest of honour.
A workshop was held as part of the programme during which MAHUD deputy secretary & joint director Md Yasser Ahmed Khan and ZED Zone II deputy inspector of schools Salam Santakumar spoke on RTI Act 2005, issues and challenges (SPIO's perspective) while Movement for People's Right to Information co-convenor advocate W Joykumar spoke on RTI Act 2005, issues and challenges (citizen's perspective) .