A weeklong sensitization programme organized by Odisha Soochna Adhikar Abhijan, Rourkela Chapter, ended on a positive note on Friday evening.
led by Dr Akshaya Samal, a retired Major from the Indian Army, the week-long programme included street corner power point presentation and educating the citizens about application procedure under the RTI Act, the first and the second appellate authority and mandatory disclosure of information under section-4 to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
A group of activists inspected various offices to ensure posting of PIOs, APIOs with their names, telephone numbers, email ID et al displayed on a focal point which is the minimum requirement under the Act. Gross violation of the mandatory provisions of the Act was found in Krushi Bigyan Kendra and the RWSS for which the concerned authorities were asked to conform to the norms within a month.
Senior citizens, scribes, Government officials and politicians were involved to explain about the benefits of the Act which is related to fundamental rights like freedom of speech and expression.
RMC Commissioner Akshaya Kumar Mallick, RDA Chairman Sarada Prasad Nayak, former Municipal Chairman Narendra Tripathy and Kalandi Badajena, former Women Commissioner lopamudra Mohanty, BJP general secretary Dhiren Senapati, Kosal Janata Dal (KJD) president Baidyanath Mishra, the Bonai Vikash Parishad president and the Bruhattar Chasakhand Samaj representative were present.