Right to information a tool to make public institutions transparent, accountable

Kathmandu, May 28  : The experts working in the field of right to information have argued that right to information could become a strong tool to hold the public institutions accountable and run them in a transparent manner.    

Speaking at the two-day Trainers' Training organized by RTI Federation in the capital today, lawmaker Laxmi Tiwari said that irregularities and corruption would be minimized by seeking information from the public institutions by the use of Right to Information Act.    

She also asked the activists to pay attention for making public institutions accountable and transparent.    

Likewise, former Chairman of Federation of Nepali Journalists Suresh Acharya said that the public position holders could be made more responsible and accountable by seeking information that are needed for the citizens.    

Acharya, however, said that the information seekers should be clear on what the information is sought.    

Journalists Babita Basnet and Krishna Sapkota, Dr Pawan Shah, and socialist Dipesh Ghimire facilitated the training as the trainer in the event on different topics including women's rights and RTI, health rights and RTI, youth's rights and RTI, and public finance and RTI.    

Earlier on Saturday, Chief Information Commissioner of the National Information Commission (NIC), Mahendra Man Gurung attended the event and highlighted the benefits of RTI law to hold the governance system to account.    

Federation Chair Umid Bagchand stated that 25 participants from all seven provinces in the country are taking part in the training. (RSS)