KOHIMA,31 JULY :‘Equip yourself with RTI Act to avoid embarrassment in the last moment’, said P. Talitemjen, Chief Information Commissioner, speaking at the valedictory function of a 3 day RTI training course on 30th July 2008 at ATI Kohima. Talitemjen emphasised that the need of transparency and good governance has brought in this special Act. In a democratic set up, Public Authorities are the servants and the citizens are the rulers, he said and added that, record maintenance is so important – to make available necessary information whenever sought. Later, he informed that in Nagaland only 54 departments have so far made self disclosure of information. He further added that some departments are even yet to appoint Appellate Authority, Public Information Officer and Assistant Public Information Officer.
For delaying to appoint the Appellate Authority, Public Information or Assistant Public Information Officers the Head of the concern department shall be held solely responsible, as per RTI Act 2005, for information so sought by any citizen. The CIC was accompanied by the two Information Commissioners, Rev. Dr. Pongsing and Dr. Kuhoi Zhimomi.
The three day course included classification of information, disclosure procedures, powers and functions of PIOs & APIOs, preparation of 17 manuals and Audit of proactive disclosure by public authorities etc. The training also included case studies and group activities to familarise with the practical aspects of RTI. The Course Co-ordinator Worhonthung Ezung also distributed feedback-sheets for improvement of the ATI.
Earlier P. Singsit, DIG (Range) Kohima spoke on behalf of the trainees and vote of thanks was pronounced by Research Officer, Census, R. N. Chhipa. The programme was chaired by Additional Director ATI, Lithrongla G. Chishi.