First convention on RTI from tomorrow

SHILONG - Inclusion of foreign funding to NGOs within the RTI ambit, the question of prosecution of erring officials after RTI revelations, protection of RTI activists and implementation of act in toto will come up for discussion during the third national convention of Right to Information Act  the first after enactment of the RTI  that begins here tomorrow.

About 1000 activists, including imminent personalities from across the country, are expected to take part in the meet organised by the Meghalaya Right to Information Movement.

Nikhil Dey, convener of the National Campaign for People's Right to Information, said the convention assumes significance from the fact that it is the first convention after the enactment of the act.

Ex CJI JS Verma, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court A L Shah, former chief election commissioner J M Lyngdoh, activists Aruna Roy and noted RTI activists from across the country would attend the convention themed 'Reclaiming Democracy'.

Selection of information commissioners and piling up RTI applications in some states and the Centre would also be discussed during the convention which will conclude with a set of resolutions ? to be called the 'Shillong Declaration'.

Meghalaya Right to Information Movement activist Angela Rangad said, "The objective of the RTI Act in empowering the people with a law to enable each citizen to know on what the government does is incomplete because those known for being guilty are not taken into task as per the law".

"In order to achieve total accountability and transparency, laws that prescribe legal action against the guilty is imperative because it will be a deterrent tool for others," stated Rangad.

The RTI activist added that the convention will also try to find out ways to force the government to include private bodies and foreign funding agencies under the ambit of the RTI.


Source : Indian Top Stories