MUMBAI: NDTV has joined hands with Public Cause Research Foundation (PCRF), an organisation set up by Magsaysay awardee Arvind Kejriwal, to organise the first RTI Awards.

The awards will be given away on 1 December to acknowledge those who have displayed exemplary commitment to RTI Act. These will honour public information officers (PIOs), citizens and information commissioners who have strived through the RTI to make India better, claims the channel.

The awards ceremony, in New Delhi, will be graced by Vice President of India Hamid Ansari.

NDTV chairman Prannoy Roy said, “NDTV is privileged to present the RTI Awards to the citizens and officials of India who have made the Right-To-Information Act a success. RTI has helped Indians in getting justice that they are entitled to and brought in transparency in our democratic system.

Added Kejriwal, “The purpose of these awards is to enthuse commissioners, officers and citizens alike to make RTI a reality in letter and spirit, which it is far from right now.”

The awards will be given in three categories - best information commissioner in the country, best public information officer in the country and best RTI citizen.

The jury comprises personalities and citizens of India like Aamir Khan, NR Narayana Murthy, Mallika Sarabhai, Fali S Nariman, Santosh (RTI activist), Justice JS Verma, Madhu Trehan, JM Lyngdoh, Pullela Gopichand, Sanjay Gupta, and Prannoy Roy.

Each winner will receive a citation, a plaque and prize money of Rs 200,000.