279/2025-2026

Aizawl, the 8th October, 2025: Mizoram Governor, General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM (Retd), graced the celebration of the Right to Information (RTI) Week 2025 today at the ATI Auditorium, MINECO, Aizawl. During the event, the Governor presented awards to recognise outstanding compliance by public authorities in maintaining their websites as required under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act, 2005, as well as to the winner of the Mizoram Information Commission (MIC) logo design competition.

In his speech, Governor General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh highlighted that the RTI Act is a cornerstone of transparency, accountability, and public participation in governance. He described it as a vital instrument for strengthening democracy by addressing corruption and maladministration while empowering citizens. Emphasising the central government’s commitment to good governance, he noted that these efforts aim to promote transparent and inclusive administration. The Governor commended the Mizoram Information Commission for its exemplary initiatives, including being the eighth state in India to implement an online RTI system, maintaining zero pending cases, and conducting extensive RTI awareness campaigns. He also praised the commission for its regular publication of annual reports, diligent oversight of departmental websites, and the appointment of Village Council Presidents and Local Council Chairmen as State Public Information Officers (SPIOs) to enhance grassroots access to the RTI framework.

The Governor stressed that while the RTI Act empowers citizens, it must not be misused to harass others or waste public resources. He urged government officials to diligently fulfil their obligations under the Act and stressed the need to protect them from unnecessary burden that hinder the discharge of their duties. He further emphasised that the RTI Act should be used constructively to promote good governance, strengthen trust between the government and citizens, and foster accountability, rather than for personal vendettas or malicious purposes. Expressing pride in Mizoram’s record of no reported misuse of the RTI Act for financial gain or personal agendas, he encouraged attendees to utilise the Act effectively to enhance public awareness and ensure its meaningful implementation.

Pu John Neihlaia, State Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), also addressed the gathering, underscoring Mizoram’s exemplary compliance with the RTI Act, positioning it as one of the leading states in India. He noted that since 1 July 2022, Mizoram has operated an online RTI system, becoming the eighth state in the country to do so. As of 7 October 2025, a total of 22,078 RTI applications have been received through the online system, with an average of 18.5 queries processed daily, 23.6 queries daily in 2025, increasing to 31 queries per day in October alone. Since the establishment of the MIC in 2006, the commission has received 171 complaints over 19 years, with no cases pending. Of over 45,000 RTI applications processed, 98% were resolved satisfactorily at the SPIO level. Only 730 cases (2%) were escalated to the First Appellate Authority (DAA) due to dissatisfaction, and of those, 257 (35%) were further appealed to the CIC. Since December 2023, hybrid and online hearings have been introduced to assist applicants, and a notification designating Village Councils and Local Councils as Public Authorities under the RTI Act was issued in 2023.

Two RTI practitioners, Pi Lalremsangi Fanai from Falkawn and Pu Zairemthanga from Luangmual, shared their experiences and insights on the importance of the RTI Act during the event. Pu Mangjangam Touthang, State Information Commissioner, delivered the vote of thanks, formally concluding the proceedings.

During the RTI Week 2025 event, awards were presented by the Governor for exemplary compliance with RTI mandates and the MIC logo design competition, as follows:

Awards for Public Authorities with Well-Maintained Websites as per Section 4.1(b), RTI Act, 2005:
First Place: Directorate of Tourism
Second Place: Mizoram State Legal Services Authority
Third Place: Directorate of Economics & Statistics
Consolation Prizes: Planning & Programme Implementation Department, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department

MIC Logo Design Competition:

Winner: Lalhmingmawia, Republic Vengthlang

Full Speech of Governor : https://dipr.mizoram.gov.in/post/speech-of-general-dr-vijay-kumar-singh-pvsm-avsm-ysm-retd-honble-governor-of-mizoram-on-the-occasion-of-on-the-occasion-of-celebration-of-rti-week-2025-at-ati-auditorium-mineco-on-8th-october-2025