A two day workshop for PIO’s and APIO’s for the Colleges and Higher Secondary Schools was organized by the Political Science Department of Dhempe College of Arts & Science in collaboration with the Directorate of Higher Education, Goa RTI Forum and Goa State Information Commission recently. The Principal gave the introduction of the Chief Guest, Shri. Prashant Tendulkar, the Chief Information Commissioner, followed by the floral welcome. The Coordinator of the event, Dr. Ketan Govekar in his keynote address encouraged participants to make the best of the opportunity and to serve the society to the best way possible. Addressing the gathering, the Administrator of the college, Shri. Sunil Prabhudesai spoke on the importance of RTI in a civilized society, stressing on the role of PIO’s, he said that we as PIO’s should not allow the public to question us or complain. PIO’s should be active to have procedural correctness. Later, the event was addressed by Shri. Yatish Dempo.

The Chief Guest of the event, Shri. Prashant Tendulkar, addressed the gathering said that PIO’s have a fixed duty unlike the chairman where the management of RTI is falling short of. Answering the question he said that PIO’s withhold or delay the information to the Public. Addressing to this, he said PIO’s can be successful with self assessment.

The Vice Principal Mrs. Mukta Karamadi delivered the vote of thanks. Some of the prominent speakers of the workshop were Sangeeta Naik and Mr. Ganpat Kuttikar of Goa RTI Forum, Dr. Nagesh Colvalkar and Dr. Shaber Ali of VM Salgaocar College of Law, and Adv. Harsha Naik. The second day was an interactive session where the participants clarified their doubts with the panel of Dr. Ketan Govekar, Dr. Nagesh Colvalkar and Mr Ganpat Kuttikar. There were 36 PIO’s and APIO’s who attended the workshop from all over Goa. The first session of the day began after the tea break from 11.30 am with the overview of RTI Act conducted by Mrs. Sangeeta Naik, Goa RTI forum wherein she gave introduction to the RTI Act, the provisions of the act, what are the duties of the PIO’s and how much of information to decimate. Adding to this she also said that people should have the right to know and this right should not be snatched. For the proper functioning of this act, PIO’s should be well informed and efficient enough to carry out the process smoothly. The second session titled as the Provisions of the Act was conducted by Dr. Nagesh Colvalkar of Salgaocar Law College who explained the provisions of the Act to the PIO’s and APIO’s at the session as to how to go about appeals filed and what are the provisions for the third party information. The third session was on the role of Public Information Officer wherein the speakers, Dr. Shaber Ali also of Salgaocar Law enlightened the gathering of their role as PIO’s and informed the cross that they should decimate whatever information available with them so that the situation does not come where appeals are made. The fourth session was provided by Adv Harsha Naik where she pointed out judgments, proceedings and legalities of the RTI Act. Later there was a panel discussion where all the doubts and queries were clarified of the participants by the concerned speakers. The second day of the Workshop was conducted by Dr. Ketan Govekar along with Mr. Ganpat Kuttikar of Goa RTI Forum and Dr. Nagesh Colvalkar of Salgaocar College of Law. It was an Interactive session and enriching experience for the participants which lasted till 2.00 pm. The participants asked many questions relevant to their effective functioning as PIOs. The two day workshop was a grand success with genuine efforts of the Principal, Vice Principal and Non teaching staff. The Teachers and Student Volunteers from the Department of Political Science as well as faculty members from several other teaching departments worked hard and cooperatively to ensure that the workshop was successful.