Morung Express: Kohima: Saturday, 30 September 2023.
WITH NAGALAND Governor Shyamal Datta administering oath of office to heads of the State Information Commission, a series of awareness campaigns are expected to be seen soon on the Right to Information Act (RTI) at the district and state level.
Governor Shyamal Datta today administered the oath to State Chief Information Commissioner P Talitemjen Ao at the swearing- in ceremony held at the Durbal Hall of the Raj Bhavan, Kohima.
Rev Dr W Pongsing Konyak and Dr. Kuhoi K. Zhimomi were also administered oath of office by Governor as State Information Commissioners.
It may be recalled that the Governor of Nagaland, on recommendation of the Appointment Committee constituted in terms of Section 15 (3) of the Right to Information Act, appointed the trio to the office of State Information Commission. The Appointment Committee consisted of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Leader of Opposition I Imkong and Roads and Bridges Minister Tokheho Yepthomi.
Talitemjen, Retd Chief Secretary stated that a series of awareness campaign will be conducted at the district level and state level. He also stated that more training are needed for all the Public Information Officers (PIOs) where the state government has constituted the same in almost all the departments.
With his appointment, Talitemjen has become the first state Chief Information Commissioner of Nagaland. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, council of ministers, opposition leader I. Imkong and several high ranking government official and top army officials were present at the function.
The Right to Information Act, giving legal rights to people to seek information from the government and to curb corruption, came into force in Nagaland on October 12 last along with the rest of the country.
Source said the new law is meant to curb corruption and inefficiency in the government at various levels as it brings within its ambit central and state administrations, panchayats, local bodies and non-governmental organizations getting public funds.
Under this Act, the authorities are required to respond to queries in as little as 48 hours, if it is a matter of life and liberty.
The law promises prompt accountability and transparency to climb up several notches, especially as it provides for hefty fines and disciplinary action against erring officials.
The RTI has a provision of penalty to ensure that government officials and all public authorities provide high priority to requests for information from citizens.
Deterrent penalties have been prescribed for failure to provide information in time or for refusing to accept application for information of for giving incorrect, incomplete or misleading information or destroying information and the like, source said.
WITH NAGALAND Governor Shyamal Datta administering oath of office to heads of the State Information Commission, a series of awareness campaigns are expected to be seen soon on the Right to Information Act (RTI) at the district and state level.
Governor Shyamal Datta today administered the oath to State Chief Information Commissioner P Talitemjen Ao at the swearing- in ceremony held at the Durbal Hall of the Raj Bhavan, Kohima.
Rev Dr W Pongsing Konyak and Dr. Kuhoi K. Zhimomi were also administered oath of office by Governor as State Information Commissioners.
It may be recalled that the Governor of Nagaland, on recommendation of the Appointment Committee constituted in terms of Section 15 (3) of the Right to Information Act, appointed the trio to the office of State Information Commission. The Appointment Committee consisted of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Leader of Opposition I Imkong and Roads and Bridges Minister Tokheho Yepthomi.
Talitemjen, Retd Chief Secretary stated that a series of awareness campaign will be conducted at the district level and state level. He also stated that more training are needed for all the Public Information Officers (PIOs) where the state government has constituted the same in almost all the departments.
With his appointment, Talitemjen has become the first state Chief Information Commissioner of Nagaland. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, council of ministers, opposition leader I. Imkong and several high ranking government official and top army officials were present at the function.
The Right to Information Act, giving legal rights to people to seek information from the government and to curb corruption, came into force in Nagaland on October 12 last along with the rest of the country.
Source said the new law is meant to curb corruption and inefficiency in the government at various levels as it brings within its ambit central and state administrations, panchayats, local bodies and non-governmental organizations getting public funds.
Under this Act, the authorities are required to respond to queries in as little as 48 hours, if it is a matter of life and liberty.
The law promises prompt accountability and transparency to climb up several notches, especially as it provides for hefty fines and disciplinary action against erring officials.
The RTI has a provision of penalty to ensure that government officials and all public authorities provide high priority to requests for information from citizens.
Deterrent penalties have been prescribed for failure to provide information in time or for refusing to accept application for information of for giving incorrect, incomplete or misleading information or destroying information and the like, source said.
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