Description:

Implementation of Access to Information Provisions of LGO 2001 Demanded

Lahore, September 27, 2009: On the International Right to Know Day, which is celebrated around the world on September 28, Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) calls upon the provincial and local governments to respect citizens' right to information, and ensure that members of public are facilitated and encouraged to participate in the planning and implementation phases of development projects.

Public right to information is guaranteed under Section 137 of Local Government Ordinance 2001 but the local and provincial governments across the country have failed to recognize its importance and, therefore, have done little for its enforcement. In the absence of effective realization of peoples' right to information, the culture of secrecy prevails in the government, which excludes public participation and accountability and allows the problem of corruption to continue unabated.

CPDI is of the firm view that the system of local government is necessary for good governance and effective public service delivery and, therefore, considers the suggestions for scrapping it or changing it drastically as malafide, irresponsible and motivated by vested interests. However, it is important to underline the need of transparency and openness in the government departments in order to promote public participation and accountability. It is a matter of serious concern that both the provincial and local governments have done little in this regard.

The Local Government Ordinance (LGO) 2001 includes a number of provisions for public participation, transparency and right to information but these are not implemented. Public authorities frequently deny access to monthly and annual expenditure statements and copies of contracts awarded for development projects. It is despite the fact that Article 114(5) of LGO 2001 reads as follows: "A statement of monthly and annual accounts and such other necessary statements shall be placed at a conspicuous place by the local government concerned for public information".

Similarly Article 137 says that "every citizen shall have the right to information about any office of the district government, Tehsil Municipal Administration and Union Administration". It further provides that "information about the staffing and performance of the office of a local government during the preceding month shall, as far as possible, be displayed at a prominent place within the premises of the office for access by citizens".

Provincial governments are equally responsible for lack of transparency and non-implementation of peoples' right to information by the local governments. It is the responsibility of the provincial governments to notify Rules for Section 137 of the LGO 2001 but, despite the lapse of 8 years, the provincial governments have failed to deliver on this responsibility. Provinces, including the Punjab government, have also failed to come up with good laws on freedom of information, whereby transparency and public accountability could be promoted.

CPDI demands the provincial and local governments to take the issue of peoples' right to information seriously and take effective steps in this direction.