RTI Act can put effective check on corruption

Bhopal, Aug 7 (UNI) Chief Information Commissioner P P Tiwari has said greater and constructive use of the Right to Information Act can put an effective check on corruption.

''The RTI Act helps bring about accountability among government functionaries and emboldens poor to ask what they think must be asked,'' said Mr Tiwari.

He was addressing a three-day experience sharing national workshop on the role of communication in livelihoods organised jointly by the Indian Institute of Forest Management and Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project's (MPRLP) State Learning Forum yesterday, a release said here.

Representatives from seven states, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar and Tamil Nadu shared their experiences in communication practices for livelihoods promotion and protection in rural areas.

Mr Tiwari released a set of audio CDs prepared by the MPRLP.

It is a collection of short radio plays disseminating information on relevant legal provisions and Gram Sabha's rights.

Project Coordinator Jitendra Agrawal threw light on the objectives of the workshop. Information dissemination, in fact, is a process of mass awakening.

He said information leads to knowledge and knowledge to wisdom.

The MPRLP is dealing with tribal communities that are already having wisdom.

The technical session began with the screening of national award winning documentary film 'Raga of River Narmada' directed by noted filmmaker Rajendra Jangly and produced by Madhya Pradesh Madhyam.

Representative from Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project gave a presentation on Communication for Community Institution Development.

Mr Anurag Shrivastava of MP State Electronics Development Corporation spoke on integrated service delivery portal and community service centre for delivery of common services to the community.

He informed that soon the Community Service Centres would start functioning for which all preparations have been completed.

Representative of Society for Eradication of Rural Poverty, Andhra Pradesh, gave a presentation on community-centered approach.

Gujarat gave a presentation on fresh approach to tribal empowerment by developing a network of professionals.

MPRLP districts elaborated how area-specific and community-centric communication strategies have helped in mobilising Gram Sabha, which is efficiently utilising local resources for sustainable livelihoods.

Karnataka-based NGO 'MYRADA' talked about the efficacy of Community Radio and Appreciative Inquiry approach.

Subject experts in different dimensions of communication attended the workshop. Sanjay Saxena Communication Officer (Jhabua) conducted the workshop. Coordinator (State Learning Forum) Rajiv Saxena gave a vote of thanks, the release added.

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