RTI Day celebrated, creating an informed citizenry for developed India stressed

Bhubaneswar: A democratic nation requires an informed citizenry and transparency of information, which is essential to make the administration accountable to the governed. Administrative system can be made transparent if people are aware. It is not possible to build a developed India (Viksit Bharat) unless an informed and conscious citizenry is created. Citizens are central to a country’s development and a country cannot move forward if its citizens are held back, said experts at an event to mark the Right to Information (RTI) Day celebration here on Saturday.

A city-based forum RTI Clinic celebrated the day at Ekamra Haat in Bhubaneswar by organizing an informal meeting. Speaking on the occasion, lawyer and RTI activist Manoranjan Jena said that all the information in the possession of government agencies is collected and compiled for the purpose of using it for welfare of the people. Since these facts are meant for public interest, there is no reason to hide them from the beneficiaries and citizens. But for a long time the information available to the government was not made public to the citizens. He emphasized that information is the source of power, so everyone should exercise the RTI.

Associate Professor of social work Raghunath Mandal said that the Right to Information Act has been in force since October 12, 2005 in India. It has completed 19 years today. The Act plays an important role in making the administrative system of the country transparent and accountable by providing information to the public.

On this occasion, founder of RTI Clinic Manoranjan Panda called upon the participants to file RTI for larger interest of their area and keep alive the transparency law in the country.  Students and people from different sections of the society participated in the programme.