Right to Information must for deprived and marginalised: Gogoi

Access to Right to Information must be ensured to the deprived and marginalised segments of the society, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said.
"Right to Information can be made an effective tool by ensuring that the voices of the deprived and marginalised segments of the society are heard loud and clear," Gogoi said while inaugurating the one-day Regional Workshop on Right to Information Act, 2005.
Assam was one of the pioneer states, which introduced the Right to Information by a separate State Act in 2002, he said.
"Public servants who serve the people with good faith and intention must be protected unlike those who have malafide intention and are in nexus with vested circles. Those who take risks and take hard decisions without fear or favour for the common good, must be given protection," Gogoi said.

Favouritism, nepotism and corruption must be weeded out by ensuring transparency and accountability in governance, vital for strengthening the roots of democracy, he said.
The Chief Minister pointed out the need for involvement of civil societies and NGOs in removing the lacunae in implementation of the RTI Act.

"More and more people are coming forward to assert their rights and dues and this is definitely a healthy sign of democracy. The RTI Act can play a pivotal role in making people aware of their rights by creating awareness," he said.
State Chief Information Commissioner, H S Das said the RTI Act enacted in 2005 has completed ten years of its implementation.

The good practices adopted by various states together with the problems confronting the states in implementing the RTI Act would be deliberated upon and the vital inputs would be placed before the National Convention to be held on October 16 and 17 in New Delhi.