I am extremely happy about today's programme, which has been arranged by the NGOs to focus on the need for making Right to Information into a law in our State. As a matter of fact, the talk on Right to Information is not new in our country. In fact a Central Bill on Freedom of Information was tabled in Parliament in July 2000. The State Government of Orissa is also now talking of introducing a Right to Information Bill.

First of all, the title of the Central Bill i.e. Freedom of Information is an ambiguous one, since it does not convey the meaning of a right as in the other title i.e. Right to Information.

Already a number of Seminars and Workshops have been held across the country for discussing in detail, what should be the contents of an ideal Right to Information Act. The Government of Madhya Pradesh passed a Bill on Right to Information in their State legislature, but unfortunately the said Bill did not receive the president's assent. However the State Government of M.P. is implementing the provisions of this Bill through administrative directions to various Departments.

As you know, the Government of Rajasthan have enacted Right to Information following a mass movement under the leadership of Kishan Mazdoor Shakti Sangasthan (KMSS). Now our State Government of Orissa is contemplating to introduce a Right to Information Act. But the common public are yet to know what is the content of the Draft Bill, if any prepared by the Government. There should be a public debate about the contents of the proposed Bill.

Some propose to include Right to Information as a Fundamental Right in the Chapter 3 of the Constitution along with other rights. Some other people think that by making Right to Information into a separate Act shall serve the purpose. This is an open question on which there should be a public debate too.

I am happy that so many NGOs have come forward to campaign for the Right to Information in our State and I therefore hope that they would succeed in their mission.