RTI yet to bring about transparency

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Aizawl, Jul 6 (UNI) One year after its inception in Mizoram, the Right To Information Act, 2005 is yet to bring about a clear transparency to the Mizoram government, according to most of the participants at the 'One Year of RTI Act, 2005'.

The review discussion programme at the Aizawl Press Club here was well-attended by RTI 'activists', including leaders of Society for Social Action (Sosa), People's Right To Information and Development Implementation Society of Mizoram (Prism), Mizoram Cultivators and Labour Union (Miclun), political party workers and journalists.

None of the State Public Information Officers(SPIOs), though invited, was seen at the meeting.

Most of the speakers replied 'no' on being asked if the government offices had become more transparent. They accused the SPIOs of being reluctant to give the information applied for, complaining that the cost of getting information was too high.

If Miclun president was to be believed, some information they applied for, had to be carried in a mini-truck. In that case, the cost for the information was unbearable.

Sosa president Sailova, an IAS officer-turned-social activist maintained, ''No achievement has been made in Mizoram with regards to the RTI Act. While the SPIOs are trying to delay the information sought for, the costs are also too high.'' Most of the participants, including SCIC Robert Hrangdawla, underlined the need for more public awareness on the RTI Act, where they emphasised the role of the media.

There had been only 208 applications for information after the RTI came into existence in Mizoram one year back.

UNI

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