Kathmandu, Jan 15 : The National Information Commission (NIC) has issued order in the name of universities being operated in Nepal to adhere to the Right to Information laws of the country.
The NIC has instructed existing 16
universities of Nepal, including Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University,
Purbanchal University and Pokhara University to follow and implement RTI
provisions in their institutions, stated a press release issued by the NIC on
Sunday.
The NIC has instructed the
universities and its associated institutions to designate public information
officers, disclose their name, post, phone or mobile number and necessary
details, ensure proactive disclosure of information in every three months,
provide information on request and prepare and disclose information requested
and provided.
"The universities also are the
public agencies obliged to educate students about the fundamental freedoms such
as right to information. They have the statutory obligation to adhere to and
execute the RTI laws by undertaking further research and study in this regard.
Likewise, the independent entities within the universities, including
institutes, centres, dean offices and constituent institutions are also
responsible for complying with and implementing the RTI", the press
release stated.
In addition, the NIC has ordered
several public agencies under the Bagmati province government to fully adhere
to the RTI provisions such as designating public information officers,
proactively disclose the information of public importance.
Article 27 of the Nepal
Constitution, 2015 has guaranteed every citizen's right to seek and receive
information on any matter of his or her interest or of public interests. It is
the obligation of each public agency to implement the provisions specified in
the Right to Information Act, 2007 and Rule, 2009 in line with the spirit of
the constitutional arrangement.
The constitutionally and legally
guaranteed Right to Information laws are considered spectacular to make the
functions of the state more open and transparent in accordance with the
democratic system and develop an informed citizenry. (RSS)