SHILLONG: Social Welfare Minister Deborah Marak has stressed on the need to use the Right To Information as a tool to empower people.
Addressing the gathering on the second day of the public information campaign organized by PIB and other central media organizations in association with the East Khasi Hills District administration at Smit on Friday, the minister said the Right To Information is a powerful tool and studies have shown that people who get access to the much needed information have largely benefitted from the various government schemes.
Asking people to use the Right To Information, the minister said people should not shy away from seeking information from the respective government agencies.
Marak further said lack of information among the public on the various schemes will lead to lapse in implementation of the programmes.
“If the public are not informed, then the purpose of different schemes stands defeated,” she said.
Narrating the plight of the people of the village, the Sordar of Smit, K.M. Syiem called upon the minister to identify an area in Smit village to open up a farm which will benefit the local people and also those from the nearby villages.
“People of the area face a lot of problems in getting access to farm products like poultry, piggery and others,” he said.
“Most of the food and farming products are being imported from outside. There is a need to open a farm in the village which will also open up employment avenues for the youths of the area,” Syiem said.
He also decided to convene a meeting of all headmen of the area to discuss matters pertaining to the welfare of the people, while hoping that the government will provide necessary support in this regard.
As part of the programme a ‘Healthy Baby Show’ was also organized by the Social Welfare department (ICDS) in collaboration with the Health Department.
As many as 60 babies were made to take part in the competition.
