Longleng , October 8 (MExN): Longleng district observed the RTI Week on October 8 at DC’s conference hall. The program was held under the theme: “RTI and the Role of Citizens” with Imtiakum, SDPO Longleng as the resource person.
According to a DIPR report, the resource person spoke on the theme and asserted that under RTI, no Government office even the President and PM’s office is exempted.
He informed that RTI Act is the only Indian Act which do not have immunity to President or Prime Minister of India; overwrites any other law for time being in force; does not respect any hierarchy, government implements; and the citizens supervise the implementation.
It reminds that government is not the master of the public but servant of the people.
“RTI is very important and popular because of the fact that it is very simple & easy, cheap, time bound, reliable and citizen friendly besides RTI not only give access to information but citizens also can do inspection of records and works,” he added.
Imtiakum also appealed the gathering to know their rights and raise their voice to have transparency and accountability in the Government office and at the same time reminded that while citizens enjoy the rights, they have also duties and obligations.
The Deputy Commissioner Longleng, John Tsulise Sangtam, in his keynote address, asserted that the purpose of observing the RTI week was to sensitize the citizens on importance of RTI Act and to refresh the Government officers to response to the query of the citizens under the Act.
Maintaining that the purpose of the RTI Act was to maintain transparency and accountability in the working system of the Government offices, John said “RTI should not be use for personal purpose or to target any officer individually but to sought information under the Act for the public interest and not to be use for malafide purposes.”
He appealed the gathering to learn from the resource person and disseminate the information back to their community to combat corruption.
Earlier, welcome address was proposed by the chairperson Robi Sangtam, EAC Longleng and vote of thanks was proposed by D Robin, SDO (civil), Longleng.
The highlights of the program were distribution of leaflets on RTI and screening of RTI short film on ‘My Rights: My Voice’.
