Chizokho Vero
Kohima, Sept 17 (MExN): The Right to Information Act 2005 which was passed in the Union Parliament has been received well in Nagaland and is set to be enforced from October 12. Nagaland Chief Secretary P Talitemjen said the Act would be enforced in the State by October 12 after ‘everyone felt comfortable’ with the procedure and nature of the Act through seminars, workshops at various levels. The Chief Secretary was speaking at the “Preparing for implementation” (State level workshop) at the ATI, Kohima. Venkatesh Nayak from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, New Delhi who was also present at the workshop termed the Act as “A power tool to strengthening democracy and entrenching good governance.” He also stressed on the need to use the Act responsibly so that people could build their confidence in the Government.
Additional Chief Secretary Lalthara termed the Act as “empowerment of the people.” He admitted that when people acquaint themselves with the right information, they were decidedly empowered. Talking to The Morung Express, Secretary Information and Public Relations V Sakhrie said that although people were yet to be aware of the actual facts of the Act, he assured that the concept and intention of the Act was good and it needs to be adopted in the state.
Director, Land Resources Norman Putsure said the Act would make the government more transparent and provide an opportunity to the people to access information on various activities undertaken by the Government. On being queried whether the Act would help reduce corruption in the state, Information and Public Relations Director A.T Ngullie replied in the affirmative. With the enforcement of the Act, Editor North East Press Service Oken Jeet said media persons would be able to access extensive information from the Government and transmit the same to the masses.
It may be recalled that the Act provides for setting up a practical regime for right to information to the citizens to secure as well as access information under the control of public authorities in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority. The Act extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
The present legislation is the outcome of sustained advocacy by civil society organizations, people’s movements and activists and the effort of the National Advisory Council which was set up to monitor the promises made by the UPA government in its Common Minimum Programme.
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