Right to Information week held in Kohima

Our Correspondent Kohima Oct. 9 (EMN): As part of the nationwide Right to Information (RTI) week from Oct. 5 to 12, a one day awareness programme was organised by the Nagaland Information Commission on the theme ‘RTI and role of citizens’ at Deputy Commissioner conference hall, Kohima. The first , ‘first appellate authority’, Rajesh Soundararajan, who is also the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, stressed on the out the need and importance for government officials to meet frequently and discuss the new developments and keep themselves updated in the constant updates added to the RTI structure. “Before RTI, information was a privilege and not a right and only some privileged sections of society could gain access to the information available.” he said. He encouraged the officials to maintain transparency in delegating their duties and further stressed on the importance of processing all RTI application within the stipulated timeline. He also requested all the government officials present to utilize the services of the resource person present to clear all doubts regarding RTI and make the most out of the opportunity. Chubasanen, EAC Kohima and Sizin, EAC, Kohima gave a detailed PowerPoint on RTI and shed light on the finer details of the workings of the RTI Act. Dr. Hovithal Sothu, Deputy Director (Training) ATI, Nagaland was the resource person at the awareness programme. He also explained the working of the RTI Act in detail, and at the same time, answered all the queries put up by the gathered officials present and thus clearing all doubts and confusions regarding the practical aspects of the RTI act. The resource person further encouraged all the HODs, PIOs and APIOs to diligently perform their duties and process all RTI applications without any unnecessary delay.