RTI Foundation concerned over weak Implementation of RTI Act in the state

Young Bites. Dated: 3/20/2018 11:45:07 AM

Haq Nawaz Nehru
Doda , Mar 19
J&K RTI Foundation conducted an important meeting on "the implementation of J&K RTI Act 2009 in J&K" at its Magam Office on Sunday. The meeting was chaired by the Chairman J&K RTI Foundation, Er. Irfan Banka and attended by RTI Activists from different places.
During the meeting RTI Activists from far flung areas like Brenwar and Baramulla shared their bad experiences related to illegal misuse of Section 6 (3) of J&K RTI Act 2009 by the Public Authorities, No reply to most of the RTI Applications by the PIO's and Non awareness of RTI Act in the state both among the government officials and the common masses.
Er. Irfan Banka explained to attendees the provisions under Section 22, 23 and 6 of J&K RTI Act 2009. He said that most of the Public Authorities are illegally transferring RTI Applications within the Public Authority under Section 6 (3). Section 6 (3) is applicable for transfer of RTI Applications among the Public Authorities but not within a Public Authority. Here a Deputy Commissioner transfers application to a Tehsildar which is a misuse of Section 6 (3). However PIO can seek assistance under Section 5 (4) of the Act. The misuse happens because the Government is not providing trainings under Section 23 of the Act which shows the level to which RTI Act has been implemented. Our one application is replied by more than 200 PIO's by unnecessary transfers under Section 6 (3) which leads to loss of state exchequer. The cost of reply to a simple application amounts to about Rs 20000. The Commission has to monitor the implementation of RTI Act but since 2013 no Annual Reports have been published by the Commission itself.
"We hope that Honble Chief Information Commissioner Mr. Khursheed Ahmad Ganaie takes a serious note of it and asks for uploading of information on the respective websites, stops misuse of section 6 (3) thereby stressing upon use of Section 5 (4), recommends a strong budget for the awareness of RTI, monitors effectively implementation of RTI, works in coordination with RTI stakeholders, imposes penalty over unnecessary rejection and refusal of information and also defines a path for the use of RTI by women section" said Er. Irfan Banka. He further added that we will submit a report to the Chief Information Commissioner regarding the problems faced by the RTI Applicants and the possible solutions while expressing his satisfaction over his role as Chief Information Commissioner.

 

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