The training program on Right to Information (RTI) Act, for the officers of Indian Air Force from different parts of the country, has been concluded today. The training program, which was conducted by Centre for Public Administration of Dr. MCR HRD Institute of Telangana, was sponsored by Indian Air Force.
Sri S Raja Sadaram, Chief Information Commissioner, Telangana Information Commission, who was the Chief Guest at the Valedictory Function, said that the RTI Act is a potent tool aimed at bringing about transparency in the nature and quality of public administration and in ensuring that it is citizen-centric. He, therefore, called upon the officers to process the applications received by them under the RTI Act with a positive frame of mind. He advised them to be proactive in the disclosure of information and underlined the need for adhering to the timelines and maintaining the relevant records.
Sri Raja Sadaram said that the High Courts and Supreme Court have been giving landmark judgements on different issues relating to RTI Act and called for the need for framing executive orders in the light of these judgements and disseminating them among the Public Information Officers in order to further enrich the nature and quality of their contribution. He also underlined the need for uploadingtheir responses on the departmental websites in order to avoid multiple applications on the same issue.
Sri Raja Sadaram said that Telangana Information Commission is in the process of computerising its operations for the online submission and disposal of the applications.
Sri B P Acharya, IAS, DG, Dr. MCR HRD Institute of Telangana, who presided over the function, underlined the need for conductingmore training programs for all key officers, including Public Information Officers. He said that the RTI Act is an important piece of legislation and wider awareness among officers at largeabout different provisions of the Act will be greatly instrumental in achieving the cherished goals of the Act. While thanking the Indian Airforce profusely for choosing Dr. MCR HRD Institute for conducting the Training program on RTI Act, he said the Institute is willing to conduct multiple programs for its officers in different areas of administration.
Dr.RavulapatiMadhavi, Head, Centre for Public Administration conducted the proceedings of the valedictory function and also proposed a vote of thanks. Smt. G Jhansi Rani was the Course Coordinator.