Kamrup (Assam), 29 September (HS): A capacity-building programme on the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, for Public Information Officers (PIOs) of Kamrup district was organised here on Tuesday to strengthen transparency, accountability and effective dissemination of information in public administration.

The programme was jointly organised by the District Administration, Kamrup, the State Information Commission, Assam, and SKYE Legal Partners, Guwahati, at the Conference Hall of the Office of the District Commissioner, Kamrup.

Kamrup District Commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra, while welcoming the participants, stressed the need for regular capacity-building initiatives for officials. He said continuous training and learning would enable officials to address challenges arising in their work more effectively and apply the knowledge gained during the programme in their respective offices.

State Chief Information Commissioner, Assam, Bharat Bhushan Dev Choudhury, highlighted the importance of an informed citizenry and the citizen’s right to know. He said governance had witnessed a shift from a culture of secrecy towards greater openness and transparency.

Dev Choudhury also noted that awareness about the online RTI portal remained limited among sections of the public, potentially creating space for intermediaries and misinformation. Referring to the increasing use of digitally created and manipulated visual content, he underlined the need for greater public awareness and access to authentic information.

The technical sessions focused on the practical application of various provisions of the RTI Act. Saksham Patiyar, a student of the National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam, discussed the scope and meaning of “information” and “record”. Dr. Himangshu Ranjan Nath, Assistant Professor of Law at the National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam, dealt with Sections 8, 9 and 10 of the Act.

Advocate Mobrur Robbani, who practises in the Gauhati High Court, addressed key issues concerning the practical implementation of the RTI Act.

An interactive session was also conducted during the programme, allowing PIOs to seek clarifications from the resource persons and discuss practical challenges faced while dealing with RTI applications.

ADC Monika Borgohain, ADC Aditya Gogoi, Assistant Commissioners, Circle Officers, Heads of Departments and other concerned officials attended the programme.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash