Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 552/05

PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY TO IMPLEMENT RTI ACT IN MEGHALAYA

In an effort to effectively implement the Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005 in the State of Meghalaya, a one-day workshop on the “Implementation of Right To Information Act 2005” was held at the Conference Hall of the Secretariat Main Building on August 25, 2005. The Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. D. D. Lapang attended the inaugural function as the Chief Guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Lapang said that transparency and accountability are the essence of a healthy democracy and the legislation of the Right to Information Act, ensures of a more progressive, participatory and meaningful governance. Stating that the Constitution of India guarantees to its citizens the right to information, he added that the RTI Act would empower citizens and revitalize democracy bringing about a qualitative change to the work of civil servants and this in turn would accelerate the pace of development in the State.

Reiterating the Government’s commitment to implement the said Act in the State within the stipulated date of October 12, 2005, Dr. Lapang urged upon all the officers present to start work immediately on implementing the Act effectively. Stating that the aim of the workshop was to enlighten and educate on the provisions, the workings and the implementation of this Act, he expressed hope that workshop would help smoothen their path towards reaching the said goal.

Earlier, Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. P. J. Bazeley informed that the RTI Act received the assent of the President of India on June 15, 2005. While certain provisions of the Act came into immediate effect, other provisions will come into force on the 120th day from June 15, 2005 that is on October 12, 2005. Therefore, as the State Government works towards the deadline, the Chief Secretary stressed on the importance of effective preparedness in the part of all concerned Government machineries for the implementation of this Act.

The resource persons, Mr. Venkatesh Nayak and Ms. Sohini Paul from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiatives, New Delhi enlightened the participants, which included officers from the rank of Principal Secretary to Head of Department, on various modalities and criteria of RTI. Apart from group discussion, case studies on the RTI implementation and presentations on RTI campaign, the workshop also provided valuable tips to the participants for filling application forms under the Act.