Chizokho Vero
Kohima | November 8
About 99.9 % of the NGOs in Nagaland are unaware of Right to Information (RTI), according to the observation of Nagaland Information Commission.
“They need to be motivated and give them training on RTI so that they will in turn train people down the line,” said Rev. Dr. Pongsing Konyak, State Information Commissioner, Nagaland while referring to the observation of Nagaland Information Commission in his paper presentation at the 11th Freshers’ Meet of ENPGSU, NUCK at DUDA Guest House this morning.
At least the ATI is providing training to government departments on RTI, he added.Rev. Dr. Pongsing said that the Commission has visited the districts of Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Dimapur, Peren, Wokha, Phek and Kiphire adding that the rest of the districts- Mon, Zunheboto and Tuensang will be visited very soon. The Commission had fruitful discussion with the heads of offices, PIOs/APIOs/AA and leaders of civil society organizations with a view to take stock of the implementation of RTI Act in Nagaland.
Other observation and findings of the Commission included; about 99.9% of the officers did not see the RTI Act 2005 prior to Commission visit to them; very few PIOs/APIOs/AAs attended some training/awareness on RTI; sensitization of government departments on RTI is almost non –existent; RTI literatures are not available in the districts; no request for information from citizens due to lack of awareness; not aware of NGOs’ campaign on RTI in the districts; general awareness level both in the government department as well as civil society level is very low.
The observation also mentioned the sensitization programme which should be carried out by the government for public is kept in cold storage. Educating the public is a huge responsibility for which government and department should build up partnership with NGOs and thereby enhance education process faster, it said.
“Too much of casual attitude on the part of the government departments but there is no hostility/opposition to the RTI Act,” the observation also reads.
Other observations included, list of PIOs/APIOs/AA are seldom updated, video conferencing facilities in most districts are sitting idle, most districts are not getting internet and so cannot have access to website of the Nagaland Information Commission, those that are aware of RTI are not sure of the procedure, there is no coalition/collaboration between government departments and civil society organizations on RTI implementation and National Informatic Centres in different districts are lying idle as far as RTI activities are concerned.
In order to implement RTI Act, 2005, Rev. Dr. Pongsing said, the Nagaland Information Commission came into existence on March 14, 2006.
He stated that the Commission website www.nlsic.gov.in is available for everyone to view and get information. Further, the voluntary disclosure of various departments are also available in the Commission website.
The departments of the state governments have started submitting RTI Disclosure under Section 4 of the RTI Act 2005, he said adding that some of them have started submitting annual report for the year 2006-07.
Stating that the Administrative Training Institute in Kohima has also organized training programmes on RTI, he said that it will continue the same training in future also so as to equip the PIOs as well as to produce a competent team of trainers/resources person in the state.
At present few NGOs are also providing awareness to public both in the state level and district levels.
So far, he said the Commission has received good number of appeals and complaints which were already heard and disposed off and some are still continuing.
Nic imposes fines on 2 public authorities
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 8 (DIPR): The Nagaland Information Commission has imposed penalty of Rs 11,000 under Section 20 (1) of the RTI Act 2005 on the Department of School Education (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan), State Mission Authority. The Commission directed the PIO of the Department to pay the penalty amount in two equal installments of Rs. 5,500 each by depositing it in the Government treasury through treasury challan. The fine was imposed as a result of delay of 62 days from the date of expiry of the prescribed 30 days for providing the demanded information. Against the Department of School Education SCERT, the Commission has imposed a penalty of Rs. 4,500 and directed the concern PIO to pay the amount by depositing it in the Government Treasury through a Treasury Challan latest by 10-11-07.
