Fatehgarh Sahib April 18, 2018: To upgrade the knowledge of the media persons about latest rules of the RTI Act, 2005, Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) Regional Center Patiala organised a seminar here today. Large number of media persons from Fatehgarh Sahib and Senior Students of Mass Communication & Journalism department of Mata Gujri College attended the seminar. The seminar was sponsored by National Federation of Information Commissions in India (NFICI). Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Fatehgarh Sahib H.S. Chatha, was the chief guest, whereas Jarnail Singh, Course Direcctor (RTI) MGSIPA and Regional Project Director, MGSIPA presided over.
Addressing the seminar ADC lauded the role of RTI Act, 2005 in eradicating corrupt practices and bringing transparency and accountability in the government functioning. Besides this the Act has made significant contribution in extending relief to the common man by making available information on different issues for getting their grievances and problems redressed. He urged the journalist to propagate the important positive features of this National Act through their different media including print and electronic.
Jarnail Singh, Regional Project Director, MGSIPA highlighted the objectives of the programme. He said that MGSIPA has organised about 85 RTI programmes sponsored by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India last year. He said that the institute which is being headed by Sh. Sarvesh Kaushal, Special Chief Secretary –cum- Director General and Smt. Raji P. Srivastva, Principal Secretary to Government of Punjab and Director, has significantly improved the content and quality of various training programmes through their methodical approach and vast administrative experience. He said that Institute has organised about 300 training programme in last year. which including RTI, Induction Training Programme, Sevottam, Monthly In-service training programme for IAS/PCS/IFS and PPS. He said that the Coaching Centre for IAS/PCS examinations has got a major focus which attracted large number of students for coaching. A 12-day Induction Training Programme for Newly Recruited of Group-B and C employees is being conducted by MGSIPA in mid of next month.
Dr. Shiv Kumar Dogra, Coordinator for B.A. LLB & Assistant Professor, and Dr. Vaishali Thakur, Assistant Professor, Law Dept. of Panjab University Regional Centre, Ludhiana highlighted the salient features of RTI Act, 2005, landmark judgments of State Information Commission, Central Information Commissions and Hon’ble courts. Mr. Yashpaul Manvi, Assistant Director (Retd.), Pb. School Education Dept. a background of RTI Act, 2005 and also conducted the questions-answers at the concluding session of the event.
Senior Officers including Sh. Kuljeet Singh, District Public Relations Officers, Fatehgarh Sahib and Prof. Dilraj Singh, Journalism Dept., Mata Gujri College Fatehgarh Sahib joined the programme.