IT News
Imphal, Oct 5:
AS celebrated across the country, the Manipur Information Commission celebrates Right to Information Week-2021 from today.
The RTI week is celebrated on the first week of October every year.
The Manipur Information Commission celebrate the week with the objective of popularizing the RTI Act, 2005 and also spreading mass awareness amongst the stakeholders.
The opening ceremony of RTI Week-2021 was held today at Debala Multipurpose Auditorium, Sangai Bazar, Hiyangthang, Imphal West with MLA Dr. Ranjan Sapam, who is Advisor to Chief Minister (Health) as Chief Guest and Oinam Sunil Singh, State Chief Information Commissioner, Manipur Information Commission as President.
Speaking on the occasion MLA Dr. Ranjan said that RTI Act is a tool granted to the people to know what the government has been doing. He however said that the Act today has been misused by many. Issues and activities of prime importance on public interest should be the main priority, but many people use RTI Act on petty matters which wasted time for government employees.
State Chief Information Commissioner, Oinam Sunil while speaking on the occasion said that RTI Act is a pro-people act that benefitted the people of the nation and also in making transparency of the governance. He said that people have the right to know what the government has been doing and the RTI Act gives them the power to enquire about the activities. He however said that some people seem to ask questions about the private matter of VIPs.
“This is not correct, the Act should be made effective and powerful by seeking information of government-related activities of public interest”, Oinam Sunil said.
The opening function was followed by a daylong State Level Workshop with eminent persons in the field of RTI as Resource Persons including an interactive session with all the invitees and participants, Public Information Officers, First Appellate Authorities of different departments of the State Government, RTI Activists and member of civil society organizations, NGOs and students have attended the function.