Blog on "Right to Information Awareness"
Dear friends,
I got a chance to attend a national convention on "The Right to Information: The Road Ahead" on 12 ' 13 December at the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula,
Aruna Roy, Member, National Campaign for Peoples Right to Information and recipient of Magsaysay award for community leadership and international understanding, inaugurated the convention by delivering a keynote address. She said, "The Right to Information movement can help achieve accountability among bureaucrats and political leaders if citizens across the country use the act in a proper manner."
Arjun Halarnkar, programme manager, ICG gave a welcome address and Nandini Sahai, director, MICCI delivered the theme address about the convention.
Participants from 14 states presented their papers on the assessment of "Reach and Impact of RTI: Role of Media" and delegates discussed issues related to RTI during the convention.
During the valedictory session of the convention, Nikhil Dey, member, National Campaign for peoples Right to Information and Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sanghatan delivered the valedictory address and A. Venkatratnam, (IAS Retd.) Chief Information Commissioner,
Right to Information (RTI) provides us right to know. We can use the Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005 to stop corruption and avoid delays in getting our work done in government departments, municipal councils, village panchayat etc.
The RTI Act 2005 enables every citizen access to public information from government records. RTI has become an important tool of social development and good governance. Awareness among the people about the use of RTI has had a great effect on the working culture of the government. RTI has provided a base for new democracy. Let us use RTI to know the information we need from public authority. However, it is felt that a large number of citizens are unaware of the provisions of RTI Act.
To create awareness I have started a new blog on "Right to Information Awareness". Those interested may visit http://rtiawareness.blogspot.com
Articles, news-briefs, write-ups will be posted on this blog from time to time.
Please visit this blog from time to time and advise me your comments.
Thanking you,
Keshav Singhal
I am sure the right to information act has at least started to make some dent in administrative circles as far as accountability is concerned, although we have a long road to travel before it will become intrinsic to governance.
heartly congratulations……
Congratulation for taking such a constructive action. You have my full support!