The three-day 7th State Convention on Right to Information (RTI) was inaugurated here on Wednesday by noted social activist and the pioneer of RTI movement in India Aruna Ray in presence of former Chief Secretary Sahadeb Sahoo, former Police DG Gopal Nanda, noted social activist Achyuta Das, Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan convenor Pradip Pradhan and State Convention on Right to Information convenor Dr AK Samal.
In her inaugural speech, Ray said there should be a nationwide agitation to restrain the legislature to make any amendment to any law arbitrarily through ordinance or in Parliament without getting public opinion. She said so apprehending the conspiracy of the politicians to make certain amendments in RTI Act after the decision of Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) to bring six political parties under RTI. If the political parties disagree with the decision of the CIC, then instead of making amendment in Parliament arbitrarily, let them go to the court against it where the common man will have scope to participate, she added.
Unless transparency and accountability is maintained in governance, democracy cannot be strengthened, she said, adding that democracy is speaking truth of power, making truth powerful and power truthful. She also expressed her concern over the attack on the RTI activist in different parts of the country and urged the delegates to go through the preamble of our Constitution once in a week and introspect how far we have achieved to it. Earlier, she felicitated nine RTI activists of the State and inaugurated a souvenir.
Sahadev Sahoo said now the greatest threat to the nation is economic corruption of public money by politicians and bureaucrats. To curb it, RTI can be used as a best tool. He said 87 per cent corruption is made due to lack of information. If a person can realize that his corruption can be known by others, he will fear to make corruption. So now, RTI is to work as an instrument for gathering and ventilating information to check corruption, he maintained. Gopal Nanda said RTI is the best instrument which is the contribution of present generation. It is unfortunate that the biggest democracy of the world is sick. The RTI Act has become oxygen for it now. He said the call of the hour is to strengthen the RTI movement and expedite and activate the Prevention of Corruption Act. Among others, Achyuta Das also spoke on the RTI and Pradip Pradhan put the key note address. Dr Samal presided over the inaugural session. About 500 delegates from all over the State participated in the convention.