Freedom Forum’s attention has been drawn towards a dispute immersed between the Ward Chief of Ward No 1 of Machhapuchre Rural Municipality, Birendra Gurung and Deputy Mayor, Krishna Kumari Poudel Dawadi of the same Rural Municipality in relation to information seeking and disclosure. The incident occurred on September 11, 2019 at Kaski district.
According to information sent by FF's representative for Gandaki Province, Rajan Upadhyay, the resort to vandalism was sort by the information seekers claiming that they were not provided with the information of the decision taken in the meeting of Rural Municipality.
According to Section 3(2) of Right to Information (RTI) Act, “Every citizen has right to access the information held at public bodies”. However, the Ward Chief of Rural Municipality says, “The information which could be lawfully given was provided, and we referred them to check our website for additional information.”
FF urges the rural municipality to be abided by the provisions of RTI Act. As per the Section 33 of RTI Act, if a chief of a public body denies providing information, a complaint may be filed in the higher body, in this case, National Information Commission within three months from the date of not acquiring such information.
Therefore, FF condemns the act of information seekers who resort to vandalism, and suggest them to take lawful measures as provided in the legislation.
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