Daily Excelsior: Kathua: Thursday, May 25, 2017.
To enthuse
vigor in the working of State Information Commission (SIC), Chief Information
Commissioner (CIC), Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, today chaired a Round Table Conference on
‘Underscoring the Importance of Right to Information (RTI) Act’ here
today.
The CIC said
that one of the objectives of holding the Round Table Conference was to reduce
the gap between the information provider and the information seeker. Several issues
were raised and discussed during the Round Table which was held with First
Appellate Authorities (FAAs), Public Information Officers (PIOs) and RTI
Activists.
He said that
the essence of the Act is to ensure greater transparency, accountability and corruption
free governance. ”RTI Act is not merely a provision but a potent tool to
strengthen democracy and promote good governance”, he said.
CIC
maintained that suo moto disclosure of information under Section 4 needs to be
followed in letter and spirit by all Public Authorities.
He emphasized
the need to use RTI and J&K Public Services Guarantee Act for expediting
and monitoring development works in the far flung areas. He appealed to the
activists to use the RTI Act for legitimate purposes only so that no undue
pressure is put on the PIOs and Public Authorities.
He appealed
to the PIOs and FAAs to comply with the provisions of J&K RTI Act, 2009 and
called for timely response in providing information so that the allegations of
delay or concealment of information are no longer made by anyone.
Stressing on
sustained mass awareness at grassroot level, the CIC directed DC Kathua to
educate all stakeholders on the importance of the Act by launching mass media
campaigns in this regard. Several case studies were also discussed to give
detailed understanding regarding various provisions of the Act.
Later, the
CIC also interacted with the RTI activists of the district.
DC Ramesh
Kumar, SSP, Suleman Choudhary, ADC and other district officers were present in
the conference.
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