Right to Information

The facts, data, knowledge or details of something of someone is referred as information. It is the data that is organized for a certain purpose. It is very important as it can affect the outcome, decisions and sometimes plans, policies, and laws. Thus, it must be always accurate.

Right to information is the right to obtain the sample of the verified documents or information. It is one of the recently identified rights in Nepal. It was guaranteed as a fundamental right by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 2047 B.S. It has been nearly two decades of its recognition as the fundamental right of Nepalese citizens.

Right to Information is defined in Section 2(e) of Right to Information Act, 2064 as:

• Every citizen shall have the right to seek information on any matters of concern to him/her or public.
• No person shall be compelled to provide information about which confidentiality is to be maintained.

Public Institutions

The public institutions of Nepal are as follows:

• Constitutional bodies
• Bodies established in accordance with Act, government rules, and regulations.
• Established bodies by the government of Nepal.
• Organizations or Academics established by the government to provide to provide public services.
• Registered political parties and organizations in accordance with the existing law of the country.
• Established organizations under the government of Nepal with complete or partial ownership or control.
• Non-governmental organizations founded by Nepal government or foreign government or international organizations.
  
  

Public Importance

• The provision to obtain information compels the government to be transparent.
• The significance of sovereignty of the people is proven.
• It helps to bring down the degree of corruption.
• Impunity, financial irregularities and misuse of rights greatly diminish.
• It brings effectiveness in delivering public service.
• People participate in the governing system.
• It discourages clamor and rumor. It helps to provide right information on time to people concerned.
• It promotes civil education and improvises the democratic system, etc.
  
  

Rights under right to information

The following are the rights that come under the right to information:

• To get the authenticated sample of something.
• To record and analyze the activities and documents.
• To get the record of documents and verified duplicate copy.
• To transfer information through print, diskette, pen drive, tape, video, cassette etc.
  
  

Subjects which don't come under right to information

The following matters don't come under the right to information:

• The information that affects Nepal's sovereignty, independence, divisibility, national security, public peace, and security and international relation.
• The information that hinders on criminal investigation, accusation, etc.
• The information that affects the relation of different culture and communities.
• The information respective to an individual, confidentiality, individual's life and property, health, security, etc.
• The information that can affect the banking and commercial privacy and preservation of economic trade and monetary benefits or intellectual property.