Mangalore, August 4: The lack of enthusiasm in journalists and lawyers is a major reason for the lack of awareness among the general public about the 'Right to Information Act' and Karnataka Educational Institutions Act, according to State Chief Information Commissioner Dr H N Krishna.
Addressing media persons here on Thursday he said that mass awareness regarding this 'pro-people' Act, which came to force in the country on 12 October, 2005, would result in 'effective democracy'. “India became truly independent on the day when Act was passed”, he added.
“It is unfortunate that RTI has been confined to the urban areas and educated people only, while rural areas are still lagging behind in exercising this right”, he pointed out.
Government is not enthusiastic in popularising RTI because politicians see it as a threat, he said.
Dr Krishna said that according to the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act-1983, all recognised private educational institutions should form a committee consisting three parents, three management members and three teachers. “However, no educational institution is doing this, as they consider it as a risk for their business,” he lamented.
Exhorting the people in general and media in particular to question the educational institutions in this regard, he informed that the law allows for the cancellation of registration of the institutions that do not adhere to the Karnataka Educational Act.
“We are considering implementing RTI as a part of syllabus for PU or degree students to create more awareness” he said, adding that the appeal is under consideration as we are thinking of not having any exams for this paper.
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