SHILLONG:
The Pro Bono Associate Club, NEHU led by Dr Ravi Kant Mishra, Nodal Officer, in collaboration with the Department of Law, NEHU organised an interactive session on the Right to Information Act, 2005, on Friday.
The Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), Central Information Commission, Y K Sinha attended the programme as the chief guest, in the presence of Heimonlang Nongpluh, IPS (Retd), State Chief Information Commissioner, and Professor Prabha Shankar Shukla, Vice-Chancellor of NEHU, Shillong whograced the function as the guests of honour.
The session commenced with singing of the national anthem, followed by a welcome address by Professor Chintamani Rout, Head, Department of Law, NEHU.
Nongpluh encouraged the students to use the Right to Act, 2005 as and when required as this Act provides vital rights to access information of public importance while Shukla emphasised as to why right to information is one of the most valuable rights given to the citizens. He urged the students to assist people of rural Meghalaya and extend their helping hand to those who are not aware of their basic rights.
The chief guest gave an overview of the Right to Information Act, 2005, subsequently highlighting various aspects of the Act and how it has been beneficial for the common people. Sinha also emphasised how this Act can be instrumental in making the Public Authorities accountable.
Towards the end of the speech, the students of the department interacted with the CIC and cleared their doubts regarding the provisions of the Act. A vote of thanks was delivered by the Nodal officer of Pro Bono Associate.
The interactive session was attended by the government officials, faculties of various departments under NEHU, Research Scholars and students of the Department.