Taskforce hands over draft of Right to Information Bill

The taskforce formed to draft the Right to Information bill submitted its report to the government on Wednesday.

According to Tara Nath Dahal, a member of the taskforce, the draft bill recommends to form Information Commission to oversee the right to information.

Receiving the draft bill, Minister of State for Information and Communication Dilendra Prasad Badu said he would table the draft bill before the forthcoming meeting of the council of ministers. He said the government was serious towards protecting the right to information of the people and press freedom.

He also expressed his commitment to implement the provisions stated in the proposed bill. After approval from the cabinet, the bill would be tabled before the parliament, he said.

Divided into 34 sections, the draft states that all public offices must publicise all kinds of information of public interest. The proposed bull also recommends to establish ‘information section’ in all government offices or appoint information officers for that purpose.

The provision of ‘no punishment’ to officials with regard to leakage of information on corruption cases remains unchanged in the draft.

The government had formed the taskforce a month ago under former secretary of the Judicial Council Kashi Raj Dahal. The taskforce has also been mandated to draft the Right to Privacy Bill. nepalnews.com ia Nov 22 06