RTI CAN CHECK CORRUPTION

Guwahati, August 11, 2006

The proper implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) act can revolutionize the functioning of Government machinery and check corruption.

This was the unanimous view expressed by a galaxy of participants in the Public Information Campaign launched by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Govt. of India, as a part of their nation wide campaign to educate people about various revolutionary measures adopted by the UPA government.

The participants included Prof M M Ansari, Central Information Commissioner, Shri L M Singhvi, Director, Central Law Information Commission, Dr M Afiz A Ahamad, Director Administrative Staff College, Assam, Shri I. Haque, Joint Secretary, Administrative Reforms & Training, Assam. The meeting was presided over by Shri T L Barua, former Home Secretary and former State Election Commissioner.

Initiating the discussion, Shri Ahamad said that RTI Act can check corruption in the government machinery, while the media and NGO have a bigger role to play by being the guide of the ordinary people. He also advocated training by staff colleges to the NGOs in this regard.

Prof Ansari said that the people has got the key to receive Govt. information. “The RTI has given enormous power to people of India” he said adding that knowledge and information are the two storehouses of power and added that the act has made people more responsive towards good governance.

Shri Singhvi in his speech said that functioning of a democratic government must be known by the people to strengthen democratic norms.

Delivering his Presidential speech Shri T L Baruah appreciated the initiative by Press Information Bureau of making people aware of the Right to Information and urged upon the ordinary citizens of the country to take advantage of the act.

Earlier Deputy Director General, PIB Shri B Narzary welcomed the participants for the meeting.

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