NIC recommends amendment of laws contravening with Right to Information Act

Kathmandu, Nov 30: The National Information Commission (NIC) has recommended the government amend the acts and regulations contravening the Right to Information (RTI) laws.

In its 16th annual report for the fiscal year 2080/81 BS, NIC has recommended amending the laws related to information to enhance access to information by removing legal inconsistencies and taking the government towards openness.

The Commission furnished a set of recommendations when the officials of public agencies were finding it difficult to determine how much information should be opened and how much should be kept confidential under the new laws.

The NIC has been stressing the need to amend the right-to-information law promptly. “While one act says information should be provided, another says that if information is made public in an unauthorized manner, it will be subject to punishment. In such a situation, it is more likely that the employee will not provide information. The issue of punishment has created panic,” the report said.

The NIC had submitted a report with 19-point suggestions to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday. The Commission has urged the government to ensure the protection, promotion, and regularization of the right to information.

The NIC has drawn its attention to the indifference of most of the political parties to adhere to the provisions of the Right to Information Act.

The NIC has suggested that the political parties should appoint public information officers as per the Right to Information Act, proactively publish the legally stipulated information, and provide information immediately when requested.

The Commission has suggested making necessary arrangements for the protection of information seekers, saying that those seeking information in some public agencies have been mistreated and threatened with their lives.
Similarly, non-governmental organizations working for human rights should be especially active in establishing the right to information rather than other human rights issues, the report stated.

Drawing attention to the lack of an adequate budget hampering fulfillment of its responsibilities, the NIC suggested the government expand the scope of the commission by allocating adequate financial resources and autonomy.

“In the context of the National Information Commission, it is weak in international rating due to a lack of financial autonomy despite having autonomy on many issues,” the commission’s report said.

“There should be a provision to allocate a budget according to the decision of the Parliamentary Committee on the Right to Information, also with the participation of the Ministry of Finance regarding the budget required by the Commission, the NIC report noted.

Similarly, the Commission has also suggested that public officials should take the oath of transparency rather than the oath of secrecy, it is stated. —