Srinagar July 4 (KNS): A delegation of Jammu and Kashmir RTI Movement on Tuesday called on Chief Information Commissioner Mr YK Sinha in Srinagar and apprised him about the implementation of RTI Act 2005 in J&K.
The delegation led by Chairman RTI Movement Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat impressed up CIC to ensure better implementation of RTI as there is sharp decline in filing of RTI applications from last few years
The members of RTI Movement submitted a memorandum urging upon the Chief Information Commissioner for his intervention on issues related to RTI implementation in J&K. The delegation urged upon the CIC for taking various measures for better implementation of RTI Act in J&K.
“We urged upon the CIC Mr Y K Sinha for conducting massive RTI Awareness in J&K by involving local NGO’s and Theatre Groups so that they reach out to the people in remotest areas of J&K. More than 800 Central laws have been extended to J&K post abrogation of Article 370, but there is very meagre awareness about these central laws. RTI Act 2005 is in operation in J&K for almost four years now but, the designated PIO’s and appellate authorities are not properly trained to implement and enforce this law with the result there has been a sharp decline in filing of RTI applications. We requested the CIC to address these lacunas and the CIC gave full assurance to take up this issue with Government” said Dr. Raja Muzaffar
The CIC while interacting with the delegation said that he would take up issues related to filing of online RTI applications, pro active disclosure of information under Section 4 of RTI Act 2005 with authorities. Senior members of J&K RTI Movement Farooq Kuthoo, Dr Mushtaq Khan, Shafiq Mir, Rayees Wathori and others also were part of the delegation.
The Chief Information Commissioner Y K Sinha appreciated the role of J&K RTI Movement in spreading RTI awareness in J&K for last seventeen years.
"He assured the delegation that their suggestions would be considered on priority and a written communication will be made with the Government of India and Government of J&K as well" Dr Raja Muzaffar added.
Pertinent to mention that CIC Y K Sinha conducted a special appeal hearing at Institute of Management Public Administration and Rural Development IMPARD in Srinagar wherein dozens of second appeals from JK were disclosed off on the spot during last three days.(KNS)