Page 164 - 9 teachers social book 9 @ 2077 ctp_Neat

It empowers public to participate in governance system.

It helps public to have access to information relating to public agencies
It helps to maintain transparency in the government system.
It makes public agencies accountable

It allows public to know and raise questions to public agencies about the status
of work.
It provides individual a legal basis ask for information from public agencies.

Right to information is a fundamental right. To make this right more strong, right to
Information Act 2064 and Right to Information Regulation, 2065 was enacted. This
right is mentioned in Part 3, Article 27 of the constitution of Nepal 2072. It stated
that “Every citizen shall have the right to seek information on any matters of concern
to her /him or the public. Provided that nothing shall be deemed to compel any person
to provide information about which confidentiality is to be maintained according to
law.”

The section 8 of Right to Information Act 2064 has made the provision to pay for
the information. Similarly Rule 4 of the Right to Information Regulation 2065 has
prescribed details of the fee required for obtained information. The fees are received
for the actual cost of providing information.

The National Information Commission (NIC) is an independent commission established
for the protection and implementation of Right to Information. Section II of the Right
to Information has provision regarding National information commission. According to
it, there shall be chief information commissions comprising at least female commission.

Limitations of Right to Information

Right to information is not an absolute right, it has certain limitations too. The Right
to information Act 2064, Section 3, Clause 3 has the provision for the legitimate
restrictions on right to information. They are as follows:

Information having serious impact on protection of economic, trade or monetary
interest or intellectual property or banking or trade privacy

Information which seriously jeopardizes the sovereignty, national integrity and
sovereignty, public peace, stability and international relation of Nepal

Information that interferes on individual privacy and security of body, life,
property or health of a person
The flow of information cannot be restricted with any specific and adequate reasons.
“Whistle blower” is an employee of public agencies that provides information on any
ongoing or probable corruption or any offence under the prevailing law. The information
receiver is under a duty to keep the identity of the Whistle blower confidential.

In this way Right to Information is a very important right of the citizen which makes
the people aware and conscious.

Dynamic Social Studies - Book IX 164