Kohima, October 5 (DIPR): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio officially launched the RTI Week 2012 today at the Nagaland Secretariat Conference Hall. Addressing the gathering of AHODs, HODs and others, Rio described RTI as a land mark in the fight against corruption and towards promotion of good governance and delivering goods to the people.
Informing that 93 countries have introduced RTI including communist countries like China and Russia, Rio commented that some countries have successfully implemented the Act, while some are struggling to regulate it. “It all depends on the citizens and to fully implement the RTI Act, citizens have to be responsible”, he maintained.
Rio also said that with RTI anybody can seek information but reminded that unless citizens have a positive mindset and integrity it can be misused and could create problems. He felt that people asking questions need to have a basis and intention which has to be towards the benefit of the people and for the society.
Commenting on the community strength in Naga Society, the Chief Minister said that it plays a vital role as it assures transparency and accountability. However Rio regretted that of late Village Councils and VDBs have started going to courts due to lack of transparency and accountability. “If we make good use of RTI, it will be good for our society and as citizens if we do our responsibility individually our society will move forward smoothly” Rio added.
Underlining the role of youths in bringing good governance through RTI, Rio called upon them to use the platform to keep the government departments alert and awake and also maintain transparency and accountability.
Rio expressed gratitude to the Nagaland Information Commission for functioning smoothly and for doing a commendable job.
“7 years of RTI in our state has been so far so good”, Rio maintained and congratulated the Commission members for conducting the RTI Week 2012 and also for bringing out the RTI theme song and RTI drama.
Chief Information Commissioner Nagaland, Lalhuma IAS (Rtd) in his welcome speech mentioned that effective implementation of RTI Act 2005 is the collective responsibility of the political executive, the bureaucracy, the public, NGOs, media and the Nagaland Information Commission and the extent to which we can corporately effect transparency in the functioning of the government machinery will determine whether or not good governance will be brought about.
He also informed that the number of RTI application, appeals and complaints in the State has registered a fairly significant rise and said that the trend is likely to continue. Lalhuma felt the urgent need for all public authority to maintain greater alertness and responsiveness to citizens seeking information.
Earlier in the programme, the Chief Minister released the RTI theme song titled ‘Adhikar Janibo Lage’ and the RTI drama titled ‘My Right, My Voice’ in DVD format. N. Mughai Achumi, Youth leader Sumi Baptist Church Purana Bazaar, East Dimapur enthralled the packed audience with the theme song. He composed and wrote the theme song in collaboration with Music Task force. The RTI drama produced by Dreamz Unlimited was also screened during the programme.
The Chief Minister also gave away cash prize and certificates to the winners of All Nagaland College Level Essay competition on ‘Role of Youth in bringing good governance through RTI’ organized by Youth Net. Medongunuo of St. Joseph College Kohima bagged the 1st Prize while Ketshunuo of Baptist College Kohima and Alvin Solo of Emmanuel College Lingrijan Dimapur were placed in the 2nd and 3rd position respectively.
The 2nd Session was chaired by Chief Secretary Nagaland Lalthara (IAS) where pertinent issues on RTI were discussed. CIC Nagaland gave a power-point presentation on the implementation of RTI Act 2005 in Nagaland since 2006, while member secretary NSLSA proposed the vote of thanks.
