RAJSHAHI, Jan 30, 2019 (BSS) – Information Commissioner Nepal Chandra
Sarker highlighted the enormous aspects of creating mass-awareness about the
law of Right to Information (RTI) and called for making the grassroots
population familiarised with it for their betterment.
He mentioned the grassroots people, particularly the youths, could be the
driving force of making the Local Government Institutions (LGIs) and other
public services and its people more effective through the best uses of RTI
law.
There should be adequate measures of updating the rural people so that
they can involve themselves in the nation-building process everywhere in the
society.
The Information Commissioner made these observations while addressing the
opening session of a daylong advocacy workshop on RTI Law at conference hall
of Deputy Commissioner’s office here today as chief guest.
District Administration organized the workshop in association with
Efficient and Accountable Local Governance (EALG) Project and UNDP. More than
150 people comprising Upazila Parishad and Union Parishad Chairmen and
members and entrepreneurs from Union Digital Centres joined the workshop.
Chaired by Deputy Commissioner SM Abdul Kader, the session was addressed,
among others, by Deputy Director of Local Government Parvej Raihan and
Additional Deputy Commissioners Zulkar Nayon and Nazrul Islam.
In his concept paper presentation, Abu Hena Mostofa Kamal, District
Facilitator of EALG Project, highlighted the aspects of full-length
implementation of the RTI Law.
Information Commissioner Nepal Sarkar said ensuring open and timely access
to information will help stop corruption, improve governance and increase
accountability and transparency.
He added that coordinated efforts should be taken at individual and
institutional levels for proper implementation of the RTI law.
Proactive disclosure of information regarding budgetary allocation for
development work at grassroots can ensure proper utilisation of resources and
put a check on corruption.