RTI awareness in TN needs to pick up says Sripathi

Chennai:

The awareness about Right to Information Act in Tamil Nadu may be good when compared with other states but it is still not adequate, according to state chief information commissioner K S Sripathi.

Speaking during the inaugural session of the two-day orientation-cum-workshop for the artistes of the registered cultural troupes of Song and Drama Division in Tamil Nadu on Right to Information Act 2005, Sripathi said people still lack awareness on how they could use RTI as a tool to find out whether the public funds are being utilized properly.

He said that most of the queries he had come across are frivolous while urging the delegates to spread awareness about RTI in the state.

Interestingly, the workshop is being held as Union Ministry of information and Broadcasting is planning to conduct a campaign to spread awareness about RTI across the state from November 19.

Vijayaraghavan, Regional Deputy Director, Song and Drama Division, Chennai, said that 12 troupes and 120 artistes will be launching the campaign in the 12 northern districts initially.

The awareness about RTI will be spread through theru koothu, street theatres and by drama troupes. He said the campaign will target 10 villages in each district.

“After we finish the northern district, then we will target the middle beslt before launching a campaigtn in southern districts,” he said.

Personal and administrative reforms principal secretary M Kutralingam and additional director general of Press Information bureau K M Ravindran also spoke on the occasion.