SUDURPASCHIM, FEBRUARY 10
Sudurpaschim Province's Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah asserted that he was committed to implementing citizen's right to information (RTI).
At an orientation programme organized in Kailali on Friday, CM Shah clarified that the provincial government was ready to create enabling environment for effective implementation of the RTI. "We will not be able to reach anywhere if there is no accountability and transparency. The issue of RTI is important towards this."
National Information Commission's Chief Commissioner Mahendra Man Gurung viewed that the meaningful participation of citizens was needed for use and practice of the RTI to ensure good-governance and economic prosperity.
Similarly, Chairperson of the National Federation for RTI, Umid Bagchand, shared that the campaign was launched for the welfare of the citizens by effectively implementing RTI.
RTI activist Yadunath Banjara informed that the legal provision stipulates that every public agency should automatically publish its activities every three months and provide information to the information
seekers within 15 days of application.
On the occasion, Secretary at the Province's Ministry for Internal Affairs and Law, Sushil Vaidya, journalists Dirgharaj Upadhyay and Chitranga Thapa shed light on the current state of the RTI in Nepal.
The orientation saw encouraging participations of working journalists in various districts of Sudurpaschim Province.
The RTI is enshrined in constitution as the fundamental rights of the citizens. However, many public agencies are still lax to provide information about their activities.
It was shared that in 16 years span, National Information Commission had to take action against over 36 information officers and chief of the offices from various public bodies reluctant to provide information.
