freedom1 Forum is happy to share two success stories that Right to Information (RTI) regime is spreading in Tarai, southern plain of country, and in the mid-western hill with the intensified campaigns launched by the strategic RTI activists that FF produced.
Dhanusha Chapter coordinator of the FF, Dhruba Jha (second lot trainee), and Ganesh Baniya (first lot trainee) has come up with really commendable jobs in the districts they are working as active strategic RTI activists.
According to the reports, Dhanusha district, having 64 public agencies (government offices) but the information officers at only four agencies have now increased to 32 public agencies due to effect/impact of information seeking campaign launched by FF’s Dhanusha chapter for the last 5 months.
Most of the districts in the southern plain of Nepal are vulnerable in terms of governance. It is commonplace if there are news stories about corruption rife in the government offices in Tarai.
Considering this, FF had established its branch office at Dhanusha, a city in the southern plain of country, where chapter coordinator Dhruba Jha launched the information seeking campaign.
Chapter coordinator and RTI campaigner Dhruba Jha said, “It was very difficult to make public agencies aware about RTI Act. There
were only four agencies having information officers in the beginning. Irregularities and corruption was rife. But, the information seeking campaign with the RTI use has changed the mindsets of government officers. No public agency now rejects registration of information seeking application.”
As Mr Jha said, the vibrant RTI campaign launched by the active youths in Dhanusha district has brought change. With the use of RTI law, not only citizen’s right to information is promoted and respected but also public agencies have tried to maintain transparency and accountability.
Similar story of improvement in government offices is from Jajarkot, a remote upper hilly district in the mid-western region of Nepal. It is not only geographically difficult but the people here are suffering from myriad of problems, as they are deprived of various government services. Smooth and prompt delivery of government service to the people here is a dream.
Amidst this situation, facing challenges, the strategic RTI activist produced by FF, Ganesh Baniya, has brought forth change in governance with the untiring information seeking campaign launched for the last 6 months.
“All 35 public agencies (government offices) in the district have now assigned Information Officers after I sought information with them using the RTI,” said Baniya with the freedom1 Forum.
Indeed, the RTI is now a buzz at every program organized in both districts. The district officers do not reject to give information when requested, said both Jha and Baniya univocally.
“It is how the RTI regime is spreading in the country and promoting democratic culture thereby making governance transparent and accountable to the citizen. FF continues its efforts to promote RTI and enhance governance for the betterment of citizens in every part of the country,” comments Taranath Dahal, Chairperson of the freedom1 Forum.