KATHMANDU, Nov 4: Complaints have been lodged against 699 local level information officials not providing public information. These complaints have been sent to the office chiefs of the related offices by post at the initiatives of Freedom Forum, a non-governmental organization working in the field of freedom of expression and the right to information for long, coinciding with the National Information Day.
Information had been sought from 753 local levels across the country and only 54 furnished it, according to the Freedom Forum (FF). The complaints have been registered against the
information officers of 699 local units in accordance with the Right to Information Act, 2064 after they did not give the information neglecting the right to information.
Complaints lodged against 699 officials for not providing publi...
The Freedom Forum had sought information on issues of public interest with all the local level executive offices in the country aiming to creating an environment for constructive and trustworthy participation between the citizens and the local governments so as to promote transparency and accountability in the local governments.
FF chairman Hari Binod Adhikari, executive chief Taranath Dahal, former president of Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) and FF general secretary Dharmendra Jha, advocates Ram Maya Lamichhane and Sanjeev Ghimire, FF treasurer Kedar Dahal and journalist Krishna Prasad Sapkota, among others, had sought with the local levels the certified copies of information and details of public importance for the purpose of study and information, in accordance with Article 27 of the Constitution of Nepal and Clause 3 and 7 (1) of the Right to Information Act, 2064.
However, 699 local levels failed to provide them with the information they had sought.
