Campaign to activate citizen’s response to RTI Act in 12 districts of Assam North East Network in partnership with organisations in different districts of Assam launched a RTI Campaign between September 5 to 25, 2008 in 12 districts of Assam. The campaign was launched in Kamrup, Nalbari, Cachar, Chirang, Darrang, Sonitpur, Morigaon, Nagaon, Karimganj, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Karbi Anglong districts.

 

Before the launch of the campaign, a Stakeholders Consultation was organised by North East Network with the different heads and representatives of organisations involved in this campaign from the selected districts to build a common consensus around the need such a campaign. Each district representative presented their own Strategies and plans according to the local situation. Partnering with organisations in these districts for the campaign made it possible to raise the local issues under a common theme of “Information is our right, come lets know”. The State Government supported the campaign by providing information to the district administrations to support the campaign.

 

 

During the campaign, number of activities were planned and implemented by the organisations in the campaign districts were carried out. These activities included cycle rallies, community meetings, interactions with the students in colleges, filing of RTI Applications, Student painting events, etc were organised. Besides these various initiatives, North East Network supported a local Theatre team from Guwahati to conduct plays in a selected location of each district to spread awareness on the importance of the RTI Act as well as the need to activate the Act by promoting citizen’s involvement.

 

The campaign concluded on September 26, 2008 to celebrate International Right to Know Day which is observed world wide on September 28. Shri. B.K. Gohain, State Information Commissioner of Assam was invited as the Chief Guest. The People’s Assembly was attended by reputed activists and government officials from the 12 campaign districts to interact and address the concerns that would be unearthed during the campaign. Following the People’s Assembly, a Memorandum on necessary actions to activate RTI Act in the State of Assam was submitted to the government.