GANGTOK, 6 AUG: The Sikkim State Information Commission would issue material in vernacular languages to create awareness about the benefits and usages of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI). Pamphlets and booklets in Nepali, Bhutia and Lepcha languages would be used for the purpose. Established under the RTI Act 2005, the SIC has recorded zero penalty in the state in relation to 40 RTI queries filed with the SIC since it assumed office in 2005. Sikkim is among the first of the northeastern states to issue a notification for implementing the RTI Act.
The SIC has also conducted several training programmes for state government officers and bureaucrats to ensure better understanding of the Act.
The commission would soon set up district units in South and West districts to make RTI more accessible and effective for the people of the districts.
It is also learnt that, though the state's performance hasn't been ranked at the national level, the state report for 2007-09 has been forwarded to the Assembly for consent and approval. It would then be sent to the National Information Commission for further analysis.
Sikkim Served Fresh Daily
