Shillong, Sept 6: An awareness meet on Right to Information (RTI) Act was held at Tura on Wednesday, which was attended by Meghalaya’s Chief Information Commissioner PBO Warjri.
In his power point presentation, Warjri highlighted the importance of RTI Act, its functions and implementation in the State. He stated that the basic objective of the Act is to empower the citizens, promote transparency and accountability in the working of the government and make democracy work for the people in real sense. He informed the audience that a citizen has the right to seek information from public authority and obtain information in any form.
Warjri also mentioned about the exemptions and disclosure under Sections 8 and 9 and Schedule II of RTI Act that enumerates the categories of information exempted from disclosure and the mes of the intelligence and security agencies that are exempted from the purview of the Act. Further, he explained in detail about the method and procedures of seeking information, disposal and provision related to appeals and complaints besides others.
Delivering the welcome address, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi emphasized on the need to dissemite the role and implementation of RTI Act, which is a platform to acquire information from public authority.
Habul Das, Department of Mathematics, Don Bosco College, Tura and Confirm Challam, student of Tura Polytechnic, also addressed the gathering on the significance of the Act.
West Garo Hills Additiol Deputy Commissioner AVD Shira presented the working status of the RTI Cell since its inception in the district and added that 72 applications have been received so far. She also informed that about 47 RTI applications have been disposed off till date.
