Coinciding with the National Information Rights Day, Freedom Forum – which has been campaigning for protection and promotion of freedom of expression and information – requested from information from all 753 local units. Seeking information from the public agencies is a step to see how transparent the activities and decisions are there.
FF’s Executive Chief, Taranath Dahal, Chairperson Hari Binod Adhikari, General Secretary Dharmendra Jha, advocate and FF’s Secretary Ms Ram Maya Lamichane, social worker and FF’s Treasurer, Kedar Dahal, FF’s Plan and Policy advisor Krishna Sapkota, and RTI campaigner Kumar Chaulagain requested for the information through the post office. The information was sought as per Article 27 of the Nepal’s Constitution 2015, and Section 3 and Section 7 (1) of Right to Information Act, 2064.
The information has been sought, according to Dahal, to facilitate the transparency and accountability of the local government. General Secretary Jha said the information was sought with the executive council offices of the local levels across the country with the hope of creating an environment of trust with the local government and to seek constructive participation of the civilians.
Following information was sought from the local levels:
1. Appointment of Information Officer: name, email, room number, position, and communication mechanism, if any;
2. Any information officers appointed in the wards under this office. If yes, information about it,
3. Any information department in place in this office? If yes, how many staffs are working there and what is the location of the department?
4. Mechanism for proactive disclosure of 20 different information as per RTI Act, a copy of disclosed information and their mechanism,
5. Details of public hearing for this fiscal year under Good Governance Act; in case of third party involvement, a certified copy of contract/ agreement paper,
6. If there are any plans, policies or laws regarding information management, if yes, a copy of it,
7. If there is any citizen charter at the office; if yes, where they are placed. Whether citizen charter is published in any newsletters/news bulletin; if yes, copy of the bulletin.
8. If there is any website; if yes, information about the portal and name of the responsible person to update the website.
9. Whether the elected local representatives have provided their property details; if yes, where and how secure are the document recorded; if the information is public, a copy of it.
10. The budget allocated for the advertisement of construction, import and services for this fiscal year; how it is done; whether the advertisement is produced in digital format; if yes, a link and information of the websites,
11. If there is any provision of placing the hoarding boards on the project sites; if yes, how many hoarding boards would be placed and where.
12. The link of the website where there are details about the budget allocated for this fiscal year,
13. If there is any legal policy that assures public participations in the works of this agency; if yes, a copy of the document,
14. Whether the office has published service delivery booklet; if yes, a copy of it,
15. Where there is any guideline, policy regarding the collaboration with various civil society organizations; if yes, a copy of documents,
16. Whether the office has the digital format of the data received while working; whether the data is available on the open data format
17. Whether there is any project bank; if yes, information about the recording of the details,
18. About the staffs (name list, responsibilities, ToR and approved staff list)
The application seeking the above information were also brought to the awareness of the National Information Commission (NIC).
Till the last week of September, 31 local levels among 753 provided the requested information. Seven, thirteen, two, seven and one institutions from Provinces No 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 respectively have provided information as per demanded, whereas the local level from Province No 2 and No 6 have not responded yet.
Hence, RTI desk is in preparation to file applications to Office Chief at the respective local levels which failed to respond the first application.