Punjab on Monday launched a special, people-friendly ‘RTI Helpline”, paving way to get prompt answers to their RTI related queries with a simple phone call.
With a dedicated number (+91 172 2864100), the new helpline will make the RTI Act implementation more effective by expeditiously addressing the growing number of RTI queries and clarifying all doubts in the minds of the citizens.
Describing the initiative as another step in his Government’s concerted efforts to promote transparency in functioning and governance at every level, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, during the launch, said that the helpline would enable the people to take full advantage of their fundamental right to free speech and expression, unequivocally guaranteed in Article 19(1)(a) of India’s Constitution.
Launched from the Punjab State Information Commission (PSIC) premises, in pursuance of the advisories issued by the Government of India, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the helpline will be accessible to all citizens, including government officials representing public authorities, from 10 am to 4 pm on all working days (Monday to Friday).
“Punjab State Information Commission, which exclusively deals with RTI matters in the state, has been receiving increasing numbers of queries and inquiries from citizens regarding the RTI Act.
It has generally been observed that a large section of people, who wish to seek information under the Act, are not adequately conversant with the provisions and procedures to secure such information,” said the spokesperson.
Those seeking information, including in matters pertaining to the ‘life and liberty’ of citizens, are located across Punjab, the state capital Chandigarh and the rest of the country, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), said the spokesperson, explaining the rationale behind the launch of the helpline service.
PUNJAB LAUNCHES TELEMEDICINE VENTURE
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday launched a telemedicine programme as part of groundbreaking partnership forged between Christian Medical College (CMC), Ludhiana, and IMAS Healthcare Private Limited (IMAS) — the official facilitator of physician-to-physician video consultations for Cleveland Clinic (USA) in India on a host of medical problems, including Covid-19.
Cleveland Clinic is an internationally recognized and trusted 6,026-bed adult and paediatric health system that includes a 165-acre main campus in Cleveland, Ohio, with 18 hospitals and more than 220 outpatient facilities.
Some of the areas of telemedicine services through this initiative would include Cancer, Cardiology, Neurology, Endocrinology, Pulmonology and general medicine.
Lauding the contribution of CMC Ludhiana in the north western region over the past 125 years, Capt Amarinder said, during the launch video conference, that he was confident that the people of Punjab would benefit immensely from the venture.
He expressed pride that CMC, under the leadership of its Director Dr William Bhatti, will be the first academic institution to partner with IMAS for the Cleveland Clinic video consultations in India.