Kathmandu, August 18

National Information Day was marked across the country today by organising various programmes.

Speaking at a function organised by National Information Commission in Lalitpur, Chief Justice Gopal Prasad Parajuli said the constitution had ensured every citizens’ right to information. He said all government offices should respect citizens’ right to information.

Minister for Information and Communications Mohan Basnet said right to information was not only for journalists but for all citizens. Stating that most people lacked knowledge of their rights, he said campaigns should be launched to make people aware and to enable them to exercise their rights.

On the occasion, NIC awarded information campaigners and information seekers —  Mahesh Kumar Kushbaha (Bara), Namaskar Saha (Banke), Sarfullah Ansari (Bara), Sher Bahadur Sarki (Bajura) and Raju Dhakal (Mahottari). They were awarded with a cash prize of Rs 30,000 each.

Similarly, the commission also honoured Information Officer and Under-secretary at Department of Printing Padam Raj Pathak; Postal Officer of District Post Office, Salyan, Dhiredra Bhandari; Under-secretary at Ministry of Agriculture Development Tikaram Sharma; Under-secretary at Department of Civil Registration Pramod Raj Regmi; and Under-secretary at home ministry Bhabishwor Pandey.

Section Officers at the Election Commission Bikram Sharma, Subhas Neupane and Pramita Sharma were also honoured with ‘Best Employee Award’. The award carries a purse of Rs 11,111 each.

Chief Information Commissioner Krishna Hari Banskota said it was imperative to expand NIC offices to all provinces.

Information Commissioners Kiran Pokharel and Yashoda Devi Timilsina and Freedom Forum Chairman Taranath Dahal urged all to use the RTI.  It was shared that NIC settled 444 out of 497 appeals registered at commission seeking information in the fiscal 2016/17.