DIMAPUR, OCT 24 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Secretary Talitemjen has directed all Secretaries and Heads of Departments to fully acquaint themselves with the provisions of Right to Information Act (RTI) and handle it very carefully and diligently. According to an official news bulletin the Chief Secretary’s instruction was sounded with urgency after a presentation on the Act was made by the Secretary IPR, V. Sakhrie in the monthly meeting of Secretaries and Heads of Department held in the Nagaland Secretariat, Kohima on October 21.
The much talked about RTI Act which came into force in the whole of India except Jammu & Kashmir, from October 12 is aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in the working of the official government machinery and other public authority.
During the presentation, V. Sakhrie enlightened the officers about the information that comes within the purview of the Act and information which are exempted from the Act. The meeting also decided to designate Public Information Officers at the level of administrative units and offices under it. Some of the officers felt that it was necessary to conduct orientation course for PIOs at all levels.
A presentation on the Nagaland Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBMA) was also made by the Finance Commissioner, H.K. Khulu. The FRBMA which was passed by the Nagaland Assembly in the monsoon session provides for the responsibility of the state government to insure fiscal stability by achieving revenue surplus, reduction in fiscal deficit, debt management and transparency in the fiscal operation. The Act also provide for penalty for violation of the provisions of the Act.
