Guwahati: Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurated the 32nd Board of Governors and 14th Annual General Body Meeting of the National Federation of Information Commissions in India (NFICI) in Guwahati.
The event, held at a prominent city hotel, emphasised the pivotal role of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in fostering transparency and accountability in governance.
In his inaugural address, Acharya lauded the RTI Act, enacted in 2005, as a transformative tool that bridges the gap between citizens and the government.
Describing it as a cornerstone of India’s democratic framework, he noted that the Act empowers people to actively participate in governance, thereby reinforcing the principle that sovereignty lies with the citizens.
“The RTI Act symbolizes transformative change, narrowing the divide between the government and the people. It empowers citizens to question and obtain information, strengthening the democratic fabric,” Acharya stated.
He highlighted the Act’s substantial contributions in promoting transparency, reducing corruption, and improving service delivery, particularly benefiting rural and marginalized communities.
The governor also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for transparent and citizen-centric governance.
He cited the success of initiatives like Digital India, Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and Ayushman Bharat as examples of the transformative impact of transparency-driven policies.
Acharya emphasized the need to adapt the RTI Act to the digital era, advocating for technology-driven reforms to enhance its accessibility and user-friendliness.
“As information flows rapidly in today’s world, we must make the RTI Act more accessible and efficient through digital means. AI, data analytics, and widespread public awareness will help keep the Act relevant and impactful,” he said.
Encouraging grassroots engagement, the governor stressed the importance of workshops and training programmes to empower citizens, especially in rural areas, to utilise the RTI Act effectively.
He also called for the Act to evolve into a behaviourally ingrained practice rather than merely a bureaucratic process.
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The event also featured Central Information Commissioner and NFICI president Heeralal Samariya, CIC Bihar and NFICI Vice Chairman Tripurari Saran, and Assam State Chief Information Commissioner Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, along with delegates from across the country.
The meeting reaffirmed NFICI’s commitment to advancing the RTI movement and transforming it into a powerful public initiative for transparency and governance.
