'Transparency in administration can create new society'

Addressing the participants at the valedictory of a two-day State-level workshop on Right to Information Act at Kalaangann near here on Tuesday, he said that the RTI Act has been a boon to the common man and at the same time, its a subtle warning to the erring officials.

Stating that the Act has created a kind of fear psychosis in the minds of public servants, he called upon the participants to implement what they learnt in the two-day workshop. On the contrary, he also opined that there is no need for any official to fear anybody as long as he or she is honest.

Information Department Deputy Director A R Prakash while summing up the significance of the workshop, called upon the participants to make use of the RTI Act in day-to-day life. “Don’t think of only exposing the corruption in the system. The Act can do much more than that. The NGOs can make the officials work in a better way with the help of the RTI Act,” he said. Mangalore University MCJ Department Head Prof G P Shivram  was present. Information Department Assistant Director Rohini K proposed a vote of thanks.

Over 40 NGO representatives from Mysore division comprising eight districts (Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Mysore, Mandya and Chamarajanagar) took part in the workshop. The workshop comprised four sessions — “RTI Act: Historical background and form” (by R L Law College (Belgaum) Administrator Prof D Y Kulkarni); “RTI Act and media” (by Manipal University Professor Dr A Narayan); “Implementation of RTI Act and analysis of case studies” (by retired KAS officer from Mandya); and “Role of NGOs in creating awareness on RTI Act” (by SDM Law College (Mangalore) Principal Dr Raveendra).