Kathmandu, May 4: President Ram Chandra Paudel has viewed right to information (RTI) is a tool to create public trust in democracy. RTI empowers people and makes public agencies accountable, he said, underlining the need for promoting RTI use to ensure transparency.
President Paudel said it while addressing a special ceremony organized by the National Information Commission at his residence, Shital Niwas, today. The event was held on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of NIC.
“RTI is such tool that makes system transparent and accountable, thereby ending irregularities and establishing good governance. It finally contributes to enliven public trust in democracy,” he observed.
Stating that RTI is a booster to institutional development of democracy, good-governance and meaningful participation of citizens in development works, he emphasized further effective implementation of the RTI.
According to him, it is the natural rights of citizens to know where their money (tax) is going and how it is being spent.
The President further viewed in democracy, being a system inspired by the philosophy of establishing supremacy of sovereign citizens and their freedoms, informed citizens would be the most supreme ones.
“There is provision of fundamental rights for the citizens to know all the information about the governance system,” he reminded, adding that the Article 27 of Constitution has ensured every Nepali citizens the rights to seek and receive any information on matter of public concerns.
At a time when the NIC as well as RTI activists and office-bearers of public agencies are working for effective implementation of the RIT, achieving the objectives of the constitution and laws are still far from satisfaction, he regretted.
“Many citizens are still unaware about their fundamental rights. Effective implementation of RTI is must for it. The supply side of information should be more sensitive for effective implementation. I think that creating awareness among the citizens is essential to empower them to realize the rights “, President Paudel underscored.
Lauding that the Commission has been doing its duties honestly, he expressed the belief that the booklets published in four national languages—Maithali, Awadhi, Tharu and Bhojpuri, today itself helps in conveying necessary information among information seekers and majority of Nepalis.
“The Commission has been establishing rights being responsible for the effective implementation of laws despite limited means and resources. All bodies concerned should be responsible for its further effective enforcement. The government has to pay heed to create awareness among the citizens”, the President Paudel reiterated.
He mentioned that naturally all information is not made public and we all should not forget that five-type of highly sensitive information stipulated by the laws are protected.
