GOACAN to observe Right To Information Awareness Fortnight from 12-25th October

DigITal Goa; Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Oct 11- GOACAN will observe a Right To Information Awareness Fortnight from 12th to 25th October to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the enactment of the Right To Information Act 2005.

The fortnight is being observed to address the need for awareness on RTI, to petition the Goa Govt. to fulfill its duties & responsibilities with respect to the Act and to mobilise citizens to strengthen the movement for transparency and accountability in governance.

During the fortnight, GOACAN will highlight the demand that the Goa Govt. print and make available copies of the Act in Konkani and Marathi for an affordable price and increases training sessions for its officials in the administration of the RTI Act especially the Village Panchayat Secretaries and Head Clerks of various Departments & Corporations.

The Govt. publicizes the salient features of the Act through Adverts. on Hoardings & Cable TV and wall painting at Bus Stands, Primary Health Centres, Police Stations, offices of Mamlatdars, Deputy Collectors, District Collectors and all Village Panchayats & Municipal Councils.

The Govt. must enforce the compulsory display of boards with the details of PIO's & FAA’s in all the Departments, Corporations, Agencies & Institutions receiving substantial funds from the Govt.

During the fortnight GOACAN alongwith the village based Consumer Forums will create awareness in the local area on the Obligations of Public Authorities with regards to obtaining information as per Section 4 & 6 of the Act.

Consumer Forum activists will organise "phone in's" with the various Heads of Departments and Central Govt. offices operating in Goa to verify whether the RTI procedures are being followed.

The Forum volunteers will also publicise the user friendly method of affixing a Court Fee stamp of Rs.10/- on the RTI application at the time of submission.

In order to draw public and media attention to the use of RTI Act during the fortnight, surprise visits & checks, submitting of RTI applications and inspection of files will be undertaken. Consumer activists will also publicize the address, telephone & fax numbers and email id of the Goa State Information Commission (GSIC) and the importance of the First Appellate Authority (FAA).