Srinagar December 31 (KNS): Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement has criticized the Govt Medical College Baramulla for not responding to information seekers intending to seek information under Right to Information Act (RTI) . RTI Movement has appealed to Principal GMC Baramulla to make voluntary disclosure of information as mandated under RTI Act 2005.

In a statement issued to KNS, Chairman of J&K RTI Movement said that Government departments and other public authorities are supposed to make voluntary disclosure of information that is of great public importance but not only have the government departments failed to supply information under RTI Act to applicants but they are also not disclosing their information proactively thus making a mockery of RTI Law. He said RTI Movement will take up this issue with Central Information Commission and Secretary GAD JK Govt

He appealed all the Govt Medical Colleges across JK to make proactive disclosure of information related to COVID 19 expenditure plus other issues of public importance

" Every passing day we get calls from people that Government departments, especially GMC Baramulla, are not respecting the RTI Act. We appeal authorities at helm to proactively disclose information and respond to RTI applications as expeditiously as possible and not more than 30 days as mentioned in the law so that people don't lose their faith in RTI law" reads the statement

"As responsible citizens we must follow and practice the RTI law religiously and work for the greater transparency and accountability in our system. People must also ensure that we don't use RTI for getting personal benefits or creating pressure tactics and public authorities too must make sure they don’t violate the RTI law by denying information or create unnecessary hurdles to ensure information is provided to RTI applicants. " Dr Raja Muzaffar added(KNS).