Should Bhutan have Right to Information Act or RTI? Experts have been called in to share experiences on how RTI actually promotes democracy and public participation in governance. A two-day seminar is underway in Thimphu to create awareness among stakeholders on RTI.
The RTI, in many countries, is looked as an important tool for assuring public participation in governance. However, the government indicated that RTI is not a priority.
“At the moment, I think there is a lot of misconception. Some Public, media think RTI means they can go to any office, government office get any information they want, demand files, records, and meanwhile even some people in government think RTI means long queue of people demanding information and not letting them work,” said Dasho Kinley Dorji, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Wajahat Habibullah, a veteran in India’s RTI movement, said such laws only strengthen democracy, though there would be initial reluctance from the governments, which he said is normal.
“If you are not used to sharing information with the public, it will lead to certain reluctance. There would be a hesitation in those who are already in position of authority whether they are politicians or bureaucrats. But I would like to reassure them that there are no grounds for apprehension if you are honest and straightforward,” said Wajahat Habibullah, Chairperson, National Commission on Minorities, India.
However, the Secretary said the final implementation will depend on the response of the people and debates that will go on among leaders. “If majority of the public say we don’t want another act, we can’t push it through. Then it depends on what kind of debate it takes in parliament.”
He added that it can be sensitive in some ways. “It could be passed in one session or it might take more than one, it is difficult to say. It depends on how much people really understand it,” Dasho said.
The RTI Bill, which is still being drafted, will be tabled for discussion during winter session of the parliament. But before that, the Secretary said the draft would be taken to public for broader discussion and understanding.
