Dimapur, October 5 (DIPR): Dimapur district is observing a week long Right to Information (RTI) week from October 5 to 12. To educate the student community about the importance of RTI, the Dimapur district administration along with the Department of IPR has screened a short film on RTI at Government Higher Secondary School Half Nagarjan Dimapur.
Asst. Conservator of Forest (ACF) Zuthunglo Patton, (IFS) while speaking on the importance of RTI said that until 2005, an ordinary citizen had no access to information held by a public authority. Even though article 19 of the constitution of India guaranteed freedom of speech & expression, a citizen had no legal right to know about the details of public policies and expenditures. So one could not even take part in policy planning and execution of programmes, even in matters affecting his legal entitlements like basic education and health care, old age pension and food security for destitute etc, however, she said with the introduction of this powerful weapon, RTI Act has put the power directly into the hands of the people to detect corrupt practices in the government and hold the government into accountability and the RTI act as an enforcer of good governance.
Dr, Kadambari Bhagat (IAS) while thanking the Principal and her colleagues for extending their cooperation also urged them to make RTI act as a regular feature in the school curriculum. She said, “We are living in an age of information and RTI act ensures availability of information in fastest and simplest form possible, RTI has brought more transparency by removing the wall of secrecy and is also a powerful tool in curtailing corruption in public eye.” She further added that access to information is important because every development process depends on the availability of information.
India is celebrating RTI week from October 5 to 12 so as to make the citizens more aware about this act and hope that after screening of this short film each one including the student’s community and the teachers not only learn about RTI but also share this knowledge with others, she added.
