Staff reporter
Guwahati: In a significant development for transparency and accountability in governance, the National Federation of Information Commissions of India (NFICI) commenced its three-day conference on Tuesday at the guest house of Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara. The event has been organized by the Assam Information Commission, marking the first time such a prestigious meet is being held in Assam.
The inaugural session was graced by the Governor of Assam, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who lit the ceremonial lamp and officially launched the event. In his address, the Governor described the Right to Information (RTI) Act as a powerful tool for ensuring transparency in public administration and appreciated the tireless awareness campaigns and outreach initiatives undertaken by state information commissions across the country.
Governor Acharya highlighted the substantial impact the RTI Act has had in promoting transparency, reducing corruption, improving service delivery, and fostering accountability within the administration. He also recognized the positive effects of the Act on rural and marginalized communities, which have gained a greater voice through the law.
The meeting was attended by Hiralal Samariya, Chief Information Commissioner of India and President of NFICI, alongside Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta, Chief Information Commissioner of Assam. Chief Information Commissioners from states such as Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal were also present, making this a confluence of key voices from across India working towards strengthening RTI mechanisms.
Addressing the gathering, Hiralal Samariya stated, “Today we are holding the 32nd Government Body Meeting and the 14th Annual General Body Meeting of the NFICI. The idea is to offer a platform for all State Information Commissions to share their experiences, challenges, and best practices.” He also emphasized the significance of hybrid hearings being adopted across states, enabling citizens—even those in remote areas—to participate in RTI proceedings through video conferencing. “The core of the RTI Act lies in bringing transparency and accountability, thereby leading to good governance which is citizen-centric,” he added.
Assam’s Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, extended heartfelt thanks to the Government of Assam for its support in hosting the conference. He noted that the state has made significant strides in implementing the RTI Act and expressed confidence that such a national platform would further boost collaborative learning and reforms.
The Chief Information Commissioners of various states presented their respective state-level innovations and outreach models that have led to enhanced RTI awareness and smoother grievance redressal. These insights, along with the decisions made during the conference, will be formally communicated to the central government and all states for possible implementation.
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