[22nd August 2016] By felicitating six RTI campaigners Raju Dhakal, Sailendra Jha, Biswadeep Tiwari, Modanath Trital, Govinda Dahal and Prabin Kumar Sharma. National Information Commission (NIC) marked the celebration of 9th National Information Day in Kathmandu. Honorable Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal was the chief guest of an event. Every year Information Day is celebrated in  Bhadra 3,  marking the introduction of the Right to Information Act on Bhadra 3, 2064.

Speaking at a program  organized by National Information Commission (NIC), Prime Minister Dahal said only right information can lead to sustainable development in this present age of information technology. “There is strong inter-relations between democracy and information, Information is the strong foundation of democracy“, he stressed on the need of effective enforcement of the right to information to guide the society towards the path to stability and prosperity, and also to make the people creative.

At the program, Information and Communications minister Mr. Surendra Kumar Karki stressed for strengthening postal services after establishing information centers at the local level. The necessity of information dissemination up to the local level and also the use of modern technology. He also added the government should have a exact address of all the people so that the government could contact them when needed.

Similarly, Chief commissioner of National Information Commission (NIC), Mr. Krishna Hari Baskota briefly share about the development and activities of the commission. He also highlighted the work done by NIC for the betterment of Open Government Data (OGD) in Nepal. Besides this, he requested the prime minister to remove a few written hurdles from the constitution to enable easy access to information.

Parliamentary Development Committee Chair member, Mr. Rabindra Adhikari said that the government activities would not be transparent unless the political parties of country  incorporate transparency and accountability in their work.  He urged political parties for transparency in economic and other affairs as it was directly linked with reforms of the democracy.

Chief secretary, Dr. Somlal Subedi shared that the government was working to reach the Kathmandu-centered information to the local level and creating the environment for easily enjoying 32 fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.

 

The event was officially ended by Information Commissioner / Spokesperson, Mrs. Yashoda Devi Timsina by thanking all guests and participants for joining the celebration and was followed by Hi-Tea break. Prime Minister also launched the new logo of National Information Commission (NIC) in the event.