Gangtok, October 7 (IPR): The Sikkim Information Commission observed Right to Information (RTI) Week 2026 under the theme “Transparency is the key to accountability” at Chintan Bhawan, today.
The programme was organised to promote awareness about the Right to Information Act, 2005, and highlight the importance of transparency, accountability and informed citizen participation in governance.
Secretary, Department of Personnel, Ms Norzing Tsering Shenga, attended the programme as the Guest of Honour.
The programme commenced with the welcome address by Secretary, Sikkim Information Commission, Ms Jyotsna M Karthak. She apprised the gathering of the series of programmes and awareness activities organised by the Commission as part of the RTI Week celebrations. She highlighted the importance of creating greater awareness about the RTI Act and encouraging citizens, particularly students and young people, to understand their role in promoting transparency and accountability in public administration.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Information Commissioner, Sikkim Information Commission, Mr Kuber Bhandari, said the observance of RTI Week provided an opportunity to reflect on the Right to Information Act, 2005, and assess how effectively its provisions were being implemented in day-to-day governance.
He said the Right to Information was not merely a procedural law but an important instrument for promoting transparency, accountability and an informed citizenry, while enabling people to participate meaningfully in governance.
Mr Kuber Bhandari highlighted the important role of State Public Information Officers (SPIOs) and First Appellate Authorities (FAAs) in ensuring effective implementation of the RTI Act at the ground level.
Referring to Section 4 of the RTI Act, 2005, he said public authorities had an important responsibility to proactively disclose information relating to their functioning and other prescribed particulars. He said greater proactive disclosure could reduce the need for citizens to file individual RTI applications and urged departments to regularly update information and strengthen compliance with the provision.
He said that First Appellate Authorities had an important responsibility in ensuring that appeals under the RTI Act were properly examined and dealt with. He urged the authorities to conduct hearings within the prescribed framework, noting that an effective departmental appellate mechanism could help resolve grievances at the department level and reduce the burden of second appeals before the Commission.
Mr Kuber Bhandari also highlighted the role of technology in making the RTI mechanism more accessible. He said the use of video conferencing alongside physical hearings had improved access and reduced the difficulties faced by citizens required to travel long distances. He added that technology could serve as an important instrument for promoting inclusive and accessible governance.
He urged departments to regularly update their online platforms, websites and dashboards to provide citizens with accurate and current information.
Highlighting the Commission’s outreach initiatives, Mr Kuber Bhandari said the Commission had been reaching out to schools and colleges to create awareness about the RTI Act among students. He appreciated the efforts of teachers and students in promoting awareness and said such initiatives would help the younger generation understand the importance of transparency, accountability and informed participation in a democracy.
He emphasised that the message of transparency must reach the next generation, as democracy is strengthened when citizens are informed, aware and able to participate actively in governance.
Concluding his address, Mr Kuber Bhandari congratulated the teachers and students for their efforts and said transparency was fundamental to good governance. He stressed that RTI should not be viewed as a burden but as an instrument of accountability, adding that information empowers citizens and transparency strengthens democracy.
He called for an administration where citizens would not have to struggle to obtain information that should be made available proactively, and urged the nodal departments to strengthen their efforts towards greater transparency, accountability and accessibility of information.
Earlier, officials of the Sikkim Information Commission made a brief presentation to raise awareness about the Right to Information Act, 2005. The programme also featured selected reels, presentations by the winners of the inter-school elocution competition and the winning skit, followed by prize distribution for competitions organised as part of the RTI Week celebrations. Winners of the elocution, inter-school skit and reels competitions were felicitated for their performances and participation.
Elocution Competition:
1. Miss Oti Hangma Subba, Modern Senior Secondary School – 1st place
2. Miss Shriya Das, Burtuk Secondary School – 2nd place
3. Miss Naina Rai, Arithang Secondary School – 3rd place
Inter-School Skit Competition:
1. Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School – 1st place
2. Deorali Girls’ Senior Secondary School – 2nd place
3. Bojoghari Senior Secondary School – 3rd place
Reels Competition:
1. Deythang Secondary School – 1st place
2. Lower Syari Secondary School – 2nd place
3. Nandok Secondary School – 3rd place
Also present were Joint Secretary, Sikkim Information Commission, Ms Manita Pradhan, State Public Information Officers, Assistant State Public Information Officers, Appellate Authorities, officers and officials of the Sikkim Information Commission, and teachers and students from various schools.
The programme concluded with the presentation of souvenirs and certificates of participation, followed by the vote of thanks proposed by Deputy Secretary-cum-Registrar, Sikkim Information Commission, Ms Tshering Choden Bhutia.
Report from DIO-GANGTOK