RTI awareness increasing in Mizoram:State Information Chief

Anurag

Aizawl, Oct 11: An increasing number of people in Mizoram have started using the Right to Information (RTI) Act since its enactment in October 2005. This is evident from the increase in RTI queries over the last five years.

"RTI applications increased from 476 in 2006-2007 to 1045 in 2011-2012, which was positive sign," Mizoram state information commissioner Lal M Dingliana said while inaugurating RTI week at Kolasib on Monday.

Since the RTI Act was implemented in Mizoram, we have witnessed significant progress in different fields. It has enabled the people to understand more about the government's functioning and the various schemes made for them, he said. It has shortened the wide gap between the people and the government.

Speaking at the function ,Kolasib DC Niharika Rai also said that the RTI was one of the most important rights enjoyed by the citizens of India.She advised the SPIOSs to provide answers to RTI queries without delay and emphasised that the RTI Act should give us sincerity and honesty in our works.

According to sources, different departments of the state government have received 3505 RTI queries since April 2006 till September 2012. Of these , 67 RTI applicants made appeals to the Mizoram state

information commission against non- furnishing of documents of the concerned departments.

There were 371 RTI applicants during 2007-08, which decrease to 177 in 2008-09. The RTI applications increased to 695 in 2009-10 and further to 1045 during 2011-2012. The RTI week will be observed across the state during this week.

News

Aizawl,Oct 3: In Mizoram the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is observed every year as the first day of cleanliness week. In Aizawl, the main function was held in Aizawl Municipal Council Office in Thuampui on Tuesday morning. Addressing the gathering, Aizawl Municipal Council Chairman, Mr. CT Zakhuma asked the people to continue cleanliness drive throughout the year. He also said, disposal of garbage and refuge materials by the Local Councils in Public Private Partnership Mode has proved successful. The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nghaklianmawia also addressed the function and distributed 1 thousand rupees each to the Local Councils for launching cleanliness campaign in their respective localities. He also said, clean Govt. High Schools, localities and Hotels will be selected during observation of the week which will be ending on next Tuesday.

The function was presided over by the Executive Councilor, Mr. Lalzirliana. Penticostal Youth Dept.of UPC North East India also observed the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as Social Work Day. Members from difference localities started picking refused and waste materials from Sikulpuikawn, KhatlaKawn, Vaivakawn, Bawngkawn, Chanmari and Bethlehem and they met together at Millenium Center where the closing function was held. The Penticostal Youth also distributed milk and eggs to the patients and workers in Aizawl Civil Hospital. Similary PYD youths

also observed the day as Social Work Day in their respective villages.

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Aizawl, Oct 3: Chief Minister, Mr. LalThanhawlawill attend a Seminar on 'Good Governance' to be organised by Ethics Committee in Saikuti Hall on Wednesday.

In the first session, the Ethics Committee Chairman, Rev. C. Rosiama will present his papers on good governance. After the presentation there will be a short discussion on his paper. In the second session,

Rev. C Lalsangliana will present his papers on good governance which will be followed by discussion. Besides religious and NGO leaders, Govt. servants from the rank of UDC are going to attend the Seminar.

Truck crushes family of three on NH 54

Aizawl, Oct 1: A family of three-a husband, wife and their only son-died tragically in a road accident as they were travelling on a scooter on their way to their farm. The three were crushed to death by a truck fully loaded with bricks around 8:30 am between Kawnpui town and Bualpui on NH 54.

As the truck was found on the wrong side of the road it was presumed to be the fault of the driver. The truck drivers with his handyman fled from the scene along with all the vehicle’s documents and were nowhere to be seen at the site of the accident. The residents of the town have boiled in anger over the tragic incident.  The people of kawnpui this morning blocked the national highway for a few hours this morning; however they dispersed within a few hours. The police are trying their best to establish the identity of the owner of the truck which has Mizoram registration plates and that of the driver.