Morang, Jan 26: Chief Minister of Koshi Province Hikmat Kumar Karki asserted that Right to Information (RTI) would contribute to transparency in governance.
At a provincial level interaction organized by the National Information Commission in Biratnagar on Sunday, CM Karki recognized the role of RTI in achieving national strategic goals. Acknowledging the crucial role of the Commission to effectively expand constitutionally guaranteed RTI regime among the general public, Karki underscored close coordination among the three-tier governments for it.
He mentioned that one of the vital functions of the democratic system is that the citizens have easy access to information on government’s functions and affairs of public concern. The CM shared that Information Officers were assigned in all public offices under the provincial government.
On the occasion, Chief Information Commissioner Dr Suresh Acharya viewed all public agencies should responsibly provide information to general public as mandated by the law. He reminded that there is a provision of action against those information officers hesitating to share information or delaying information disclosure.
Province’s Chief Secretary Kedarnath Sharma however highlighted the need for a clean intent of both the information seeker and provider while exercising the RTI. He suggested the public offices to disclose their accomplishments of works in website every three months.
Similarly, Commission’s Commissioner Gagan Bista presented a working paper, articulating that Commission upheld the notion that all public agencies should be transparency. Journalists participating in the interaction however recommended appointing a separate employee as an information officer in public office.
The interaction was held as part of the Commission’s mission to monitor the implementation of RTI in every district and to collect suggestions for future course of action. Participants in the interaction were chiefs of public offices at provincial and local levels including the information officers.#nepal #Right to Information #rss
