The Department of Commerce of the Goa Multi Faculty College under the guidance of Principal, Dr. Manasvi Kamat, had organized a “Monthly Departmental Activity” for the month of January 2016. A “Talk on Right to Information Act, 2005, was undertaken and was followed by “Quiz Competition”.
To acquaint the students with “Right to Information act, 2005, Department of Commerce of Goa Multi Faculty College organized a 1 hour session on 15h January 2016 from 3.30p.m to 4.30 pm in the college premises for Commerce students. Department of Commerce invited Mr. Surel Datta Tilve, a practicing advocate since last 9 years to address the students on various issues related to Right to Information Act, 2005.
The session started with a warm welcome note by Ms. Pooja Palyekar, Asst. Professor in English. She introduced the guest speaker Adv. Surel Tilve to the audience and Principal, Dr. Manasvi Kamat florally welcomed the guest speaker Adv. Surel Tilve and addressed the gathering.
Adv. Surel Tilve started his session with the introduction to the RTI. He stated that the Right to Information has been recognized as fundamental human right which upholds the inherent dignity of all human beings. The Right to Information forms the crucial underpinning of participatory democracy. It is essential to ensure accountability and good governance. The greater the access of the citizen to information the greater the responsiveness of government to community needs.
He focused on applicability of the Act, i.e. the RTI applies to both the central and state Government and all public authorities, which is bound to furnish information under RTI.
Even he simplified the Concepts under RTI, such as Information, i.e any material in the form of records, documents, memos, e-mails, circulars, orders or any data in electronic form etc; Public Information Officer, procedure to apply for information under RTI, Obligations of PIO, time limit, penalty and appeals.
Further he also clarified that Right to information is a right of every citizen to inspect documents, files, records or obtaining any such information in electronic form as well as in print form, which is accessible under the act, and which is held by or under the control of any public authority after making payments of necessary fees.
Adv. Surel Tilve also mentioned that certain information cannot be obtained through RTI, i.e. exemption from disclosure of certain information by public authority under RTI, as it is confidential in nature for the security purpose or it is forbidden by law.
His session was a mix of theory as well as real life situations of how Right to Information is the best tool which can be used by every citizen of India. He narrated few self-experienced instances wherein an individual used RTI as a weapon at individual level and to serve the community.
He also offered valuable inputs and guidelines which one needs to follow while seeking information under RTI.
It was indeed a power packed program followed by an intensive question answer session, wherein students willingly got all their doubts and concerns clarified from the guest speaker. Session was an enlightening and enriching experience for students and all enjoyed it to the core. Session ended with vote of thanks by Mr. Subasish Mohanty, Head of Department of Commerce of Goa Multi- Faculty College, Dharbandora – Goa
Feedback from Students
The participants were really happy to be a part of the session entitled “Right to Information Act, 2005, after the session got over, Ms. Kalpita Naik, Asst. Professor, took the feedback of the students. As per the feedback received by the students, the following inferences were drawn:
- Students found the session very informative and interactive.
- The session enlightened the students about a powerful tool “Right to Information Act, 2005” which makes government machinery transparent to the public.
- Students appreciated Adv. Surel Tilve for explaining the RTI with the help of real life situations and also for sharing his experience of how he used RTI weapon for the benefit of society being an advocate.
- Students enjoyed the session as it was an opportunity to learn something extra beyond what students learn in the class.
- Students believed that the topic was useful and implementable in their routine life.
- Students showed keen interest to participate in such programs in future too.