By Amrit Pal Sidhu
Chandigarh, 27 October
The book RTI and Good Governance, published by the Punjab State Information Commission and authored by Harpreet Sandhu, State Information Commissioner, Punjab, was presented today to the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria, at Lok Bhawan, Chandigarh.
Inderpal Singh Dhanna, Chief Information Commissioner, Punjab, presented the book, accompanied by Harpreet Sandhu and D. K. Tewari, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Good Governance, Punjab.
Dedicated to the Right to Information Act, 2005, and marking 21 years of its implementation, the book highlights the importance of transparency, accountability, citizen empowerment and good governance. It documents the evolving role of the RTI framework in strengthening public administration and encouraging informed citizen participation.
The presentation reflects the Punjab State Information Commission’s continued commitment to advancing the principles of the RTI Act and reinforcing its contribution to transparent, accountable and responsive governance.
Governor Gulab Chand Kataria appreciated the publication as a positive initiative by the Commission to strengthen the implementation of the RTI Act, 2005, and promote good governance.
The book carries special messages from the Chief Justice of India, Mr. Justice Surya Kant; the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria; and the Chief Information Commissioner of India, Raj Kumar Goyal, IAS (Retd.). Their messages underscore the constitutional and democratic significance of the publication, which has also received endorsements from Wajahat Habibullah, India’s first Chief Information Commissioner, and Rajan Kashyap, Punjab’s first Chief Information Commissioner.
Authored under the patronage of the Punjab State Information Commission, the book seeks to enhance public awareness, promote the responsible implementation of the RTI framework and foster a culture of transparency and accountability in public institutions.
The event offered an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past 21 years while reaffirming the continuing need for effective implementation of the Act in the larger public interest.