CHANDIGARH: “The Right to information Act 2005 is a reflection of a liberal and resurgent India that shifts the power of knowledge in the hands of common man, the real stakeholders of the Government,” said Rajan Kashyap, Chief information Commissioner, Punjab in an Interactive Session with the industry organised by CII Chandigarh Council here Monday.
He exhorted industry to play a pro-active role to create awareness about the Act. Deliberating on the initiatives taken by the Punjab State Information Commission, Kashyap said, “The Commission has been playing an active role towards dissemination of information. As on 23rd January 2007, a total of 1309 cases have been instituted before the Commission and a total of 508 cases have been decided upon in totality meaning taking cognizance of its implementation.”
Kashyap further said that the information sought by the citizens is now available on the official website of the Information Commission the very next day a decision is taken. However, expressing his concern, Mr Kashyap further said that a lot still needed to be done. He stated that to make the Act more effective, the seekers and the deliverers should both be educated. In terms of pro – active information delivery, he said that the police department, the public works department and the district administration have to be on the forefront.
In his welcome address, Partap K Aggarwal, Chairman, CII Chandigarh Council highlighted that the Right to Information Act is a tool to change the mindset. “The RTI Act is a culmination of active role that the media and Non Governmental Organisations played towards the fulfillment of basic fundamental rights of the citizen of a democratic country”, he further added. He expressed the keenness of industry to play its role towards achieving the objectives laid down under the Act.
CII Chandigarh Council has always been a reference point for industries in the Northern Region. Against this backdrop, CII Chandigarh Council has organised this interactive session with Mr Rajan Kashyap so as to create awareness among its members and the public in general.