People told to make use of RTI Act

Khammam: People should make best use of the Right to Information (RTI) Act to curb corruption and usher in transparency, efficiency and accountability in government offices, said Jwala Narasimha Rao, CPRO in the Chief Minister Office, Hyderabad. He was addressing RTI Foundation Day celebrations at the Zilla Parishad office here on Sunday. RTI Campaign Organisation president T Naraiah was in the chair.

Rao stated that the RTI Act was different from all other laws enacted by the government, as it was being enforced by the people. It was the people’s responsibility to enforce the law.

He said the idea to implement RTI Act came up during the Chief Ministers’ conference conducted by Prime Minister IK Gujral in 1997. It was implemented to enhance the participation of the people and to restore faith in democracy. The meeting had passed a resolution to enhance transparency, accountability and people’s participation in the administration. Later, the United Progressive Alliance government enacted the law.

Rao stated that in the past few years the RTI Act helped expose several scandals at the national and State levels. Though there were several problems in implementation, the promoted transparency and good governance. ‘I have been conducting awareness programmes on RTI Act for journalists and NGOs for the past ten years’, he said.

RDO Sanjeeva Reddy and several RTI activists were present. Information and Public Relations department officials M Venkateswara Prasad and M Dasharadham met Rao.