Information Needs and Access to Information: A Study of Members of Zila Panchayat in Nainital District of Uttarakhand

The present study is intended to investigate the information needs and access to information of Zila Panchayat Members in Nainital District of Uttarakhand in the context of local level planning. In order to fulfil this aim, three specific objectives are identified. It is tried to understand the information needs of Zila Panchayath Members, the channels of communication among them, and the preferences in the use of information sources by them. The suggestions for improving the information base of local governance and for developing an information system to support Zila Panchayat Members in Nainital District are made on the basis of the study. The present investigation has achieved its objective in identifying the information needs and use of information by the members.