Periodic review of RTI essential: Venkatratnam

[karira]

As reported in navhindtimes.com on 12 October 2008:
Navhindtimes.com - News and Features from Goa, India

Periodic review of RTI essential: Venkatratnam

PANAJI - State Information Commissioner Mr A Venkatratnam said that the periodic review of implementation of the Right to Information Act is essential and added that the Government of India has already appointed a committee to review the Implementation of Act which will submit its report shortly.

Mr Venkatratnam was speaking after inaugurating a one day workshop on Right to Information Act organised by Department of Information and Publicity at Panaji, today. The Secretary, Information and Publicity Mr Narendra Kumar also attended the function.

Speaking further, he said, the Right to Information Act which came into existence in 2005 has drawn tremendous response from people. The purpose of Act has become more successful compared to any other Act in the country, he said.

This Act tends to hold the Government accountable for the deeds and misdeeds and has also helped to arrest corruption to some extent, he added.

Mr . Venkatratnam complimented the Department of Information and Publicity for organising this workshop.

Mr Venkatratnam also cited many cases wherein people got justice by using RTI as an instrument. He called upon PIO's and APIO's who attended the workshop to upload information on their websites for the benefit of people.

Secretary, Mr Narendra Kumar said the Right to Information Act has potential to transform the whole society in the country. He said accountability, responsibility, equality, and rule of law are some of the ingredients of good governance which should reflect in the RTI Act.

Director of Information and Publicity, Mr Nikhil Desai welcomed the guests. Mr J Anand, State Informatics Officer, NIC, Prof Shabbir Ali, Lecturer of V M Salgaonkar College of Law, Prof Naguesh Colvalkar, Lecturer, Salgaonkar College of Law were the resource persons for the workshop. Information Officer Mr V Sawant proposed the vote of thanks. Mr Shyam Gaonkar, Information Assistant compered the programme.