RTI can check corruption

Guwahati, Aug 11 (UNI) Proper implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) act can revolutionise the functioning 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) as part of their nation-wide campaign to educate people about various revolutionary measures adopted by the UPA government.

The participants included Mr L M Singhvi, Director Law Central Information Commission, Prof M M Ansari, Central Information Commissioner, Dr M Aziz Ahmed, Director Administrative Staff College Asom, Mr I Haq, Joint Secretary, Administrative Reforms&Trainings, Asom. The meeting was president over by Mr T L Barua, the former Home Secretary and former State Election Commissioner.

Opening up the discussion, Mr Ahmed said RTI could check corrupt practice in the state government. He also said that media and NGO had a bigger role to play by being the guide of ordinary people. He advocated training by staff colleges to the NGOs in this regard.

Prof Ansari said the people have got the key to unlock information stored with the Government of India. ''The RTI has given enormous power to the people of India,'' he said adding that knowledge and information are the two wings of success.

He informed that the act was implemented by some states before the national act was passed and people had actually derived benefit out of it. ''The act has made people more responsible for a good governance,'' he said.

Mr Singhvi opined that work of a democratic government must be known by the people. ''Ordinary citizens remained unaware of many affairs of the government. If they continue to remain unawares then democracy has no meaning,'' he said. He also urged the information officers under the act to be more cooperative.

Mr Haq said earlier people did not have the right to know the functioning of the government under the official secrecy act. ''All over the world 80 countries have implemented the act,'' he said adding there is no fee for people who live below poverty line.

In his presidential speech Mr T L Baruah said in India Rajasthan was the first state to implement RTI and appreciated the PIB venture of making people aware of the whole effort. He urged ordinary citizens to take advantage of the act.

UNI MT PL KLC1537