LONGDING, 24 Oct: “The Arunachal Pradesh Information Commission (APIC) has decided to entertain applications for furnishing information for one financial year, one block, and one project,” State Information Commissioner (SIC) Sonam Yudron informed.
Addressing an ‘RTI awareness programme’ organised by the APIC, in collaboration with the Longding district administration, here last Saturday, Yudron spoke about the genesis of the RTI Act, and dwelt on the powers and duties of the public information officers (PIO) and assistant PIOs (APIO). She also cautioned people against “filing bogus and frivolous RTIs for parochial gains.”
Yudron further said that RTI applicants should avoid seeking unrealistic information, adding that “some people ask information for 10 to 15 years, which creates unnecessary burden.”
This is why the commission has taken the decision regarding entertaining applications, she said.
Besides asking the authorities concerned to “maintain all the information in a proper manner, so as to make information easily accessible,” she urged the officials to “disclose information in a voluntary manner on various official platforms and in the office, so that people readily get information without needing to file an RTI application.”
If used properly, the RTI Act will ensure transparency and accountability and aid in the process of development, she said.
Longding DC Bani Lego stressed on the importance of the Act in promoting transparency and accountability on the part of the government, and advised the PIOs and APIOs to furnish information sought for by appellants on time.
He also urged appellants to “use the rights under the RTI Act in public interest.”
The programme was attended by, among others, Kanubari ADC Techu Aran, Longding ADC Mirpe Tato, HoDs, RTI activists, and student leaders. (DIPRO)
