Implementation of Right to Information Act in Cooperatives of Birendranagar Municipality, Surkhet

Abstract

Cooperatives are volunteer and member- controlled organization, which are based on principles of autonomy, equality and democracy. The main objective of this study was to analyze the implementation of Right to Information (RTI) in various cooperatives in the Birendranagar Municipality, Surkhet. The study was of qualitative and quantitative nature. A total of 104 member from various cooperatives were selected through non proportional stratified random sampling and 15 representatives of the cooperatives were selected through purposive sampling. In addition, two focus group discussions and non-participatory observation of the cooperatives were done. The study was mainly focused on the awareness of the members of RTI, availability of information, attitude of the staff, modes of access, voluntary compliance, monitoring, behavior of the members, and information and satisfaction of the members. Of the total 104 members, 96.1% had general knowledge about RTI. Of the total members, 73.1% had made a request for information, 32.7% of the total members had made repeated request for information and 29.8% of the total members had received the requested information. The overall average of the implementation of the RTI was found to be 44%, which was interpreted as very poor. The average of monitoring was found to be 27.5% which was very poor. Overall, the study revealed that the knowledge of RTI and practice of RTI were very poor among the members of the study cooperatives.Information-seeking was highly related to monitoring behavior (r = 0.906, p < 0.001) and overall satisfaction (r = 0.913, p < 0.001). Overall, respondents indicated they had limited information and were not monitored by staff. Respondents also reported a lack of information regarding the legal extent of their right to information (RTI) and were uncertain about the staff member to approach for clarification. Monitoring behavior and right to information were discussed in relation to the Nepal RTI law, the International Cooperative Alliance, and Thalappalam. The study advocates that in order to achieve increased transparency in cooperatives, several adjustments, including development of a member information system and regulator monitoring, and more broadly, improving the quality of disclosure, are required.