Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagadish Kharel, has expressed a commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the right to information (RTI). This announcement came as Minister Kharel received a memorandum submitted by the National Federation for Right to Information at the Ministry today. He emphasized that a focus on practical and efficient RTI implementation could serve as a tool to reduce corruption.
According to National News Agency RSS, Minister Kharel plans to convene discussions on RTI matters following the Dashain festival, involving all relevant bodies. The Federation’s memorandum calls for a guarantee of responsible and skilled leadership in promoting RTI, suggesting a review and necessary restructuring of the office-bearers within the National Information Commission.
Federation President Umid Bagchand highlighted the need for a streamlined process to provide information to citizens swiftly, efficiently, and affordably. The Federation also advocated for the enhancement of the ministry’s monitoring mechanisms to ensure strict adherence to transparency and accountability. Furthermore, they urged public bodies to develop concrete action plans to curb corruption and introduce programs promoting good governance to gain the trust of the younger generation.
The memorandum, signed by Federation President Bagchand and General-Secretary Purna Prasad Mishra, also called for policy and legal arrangements that facilitate easy access to information for citizens. This is in response to the perceived ineffectiveness of the National Vigilance Centre and the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority in delivering tangible results in the fight against corruption.