Right To Information (RTI) Clinic has been inaugurated at the MRO office, Sheikhpet Mandal of Hyderabad district, AP. It was inaugurated by Ms. Minnie Mathew, IAS, Spl.Chief Secretary to the Government, GA (GPM&AR), Govt of Andhra Pradesh on 28th February 2012.

The Director General of CGG, Dr Phani Kumar, IAS welcomed the guests and emphasised the need to inculcate the culture of openness in government offices and mentioned that this was a beginning of the process at the MRO office that could be scaled up to other MRO offices across the district.

Speaking on the occasion, the Collector and District Magistrate of Hyderabad district, Shri Gulzar Natarajan, IAS shared the district’s initiatives in implementing RTI. He updated the gathering about the progress made and assured that the Collectorate is keen to and conscious about the responsibilities towards the Right to Information Act.

Delivering the keynote address, Ms Minnie Mathew pointed out that Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act needs to be updated and changes incorporated at appropriate times, if not at least annually.

She observed that updation needs as much emphasis as its proper display and dissemination including uploading the same on the websites. She emphasised that should the information be provided proactively, the number of applications ‘seeking information’ from the offices would reduce substantially. A set of print and electronic resources on Right to Information were presented to the MRO office by the Chief Guest. The MRO of Sheikhpet Mandal, Shri J Srinivas gave an update of the RTI information in his office. He later proposed the vote of thanks.