State Times: Rajouri: Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
CIC, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai chairing a meeting at Rajouri. |
Terming Right
to Information Act as a vital tool for quality development and effective public
services delivery, Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), Khurshid Ahmed Ganai
on Monday called for implementation of the Act in letter and spirit.
The CIC was
addressing the Roundtable of First Appellate Authorities (FAAs), Public
Information Officers (PIOs) and Assistant Public Information Officer (APIO) of
District Rajouri.
Secretary
J&K SIC Ashok Pandita, Deputy Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, ADDC
A S Chib, SSP Yougal Manhas, ADC Qayoom Mir, Addl SP Mohd Yousuf, media persons
from electronic and print media besides all FPAs, PIOs and APIOs of various
government departments attended the Roundtable.
Deliberating
on the objectives of the Act the CIC said the Act envisages to provide a
transparent and accountable governance to the people with greater aim of
establishing a corruption free society. Linking corruption with lack of
information in public domain, he said easy and increased flow of information
will enable the public to question public spending and social auditing of the
government’s projects and schemes, which in turn, will enhance the quality of
development and effectiveness in delivery of public services.
The CIC
called upon the PIOs and FAAs present in the Roundtable to go through the
J&K RTI Act, 2009 and Rules carefully to ensure that they perform their
duties in conformity with the provisions of the Act. He said that slackness in
the implementation of Section 4 of the Act pertaining to mandatory and suo moto
disclosure of information through websites is a big concern which needs to be
addressed by all the Public Authorities. He also impressed upon them to
establish dedicated RTI cells in their offices to facilitate applicants and
ensure time bound replies. Earlier Dr Shahid informed that of 3,300 RTI
applications received in the district in last two years more than 3,200 stands
disposed off. He further informed that in past six months massive awareness has
been carried in every nook and corner of the district in more than 180 Camps
and implementation of RTI is monitored and reviewed on monthly basis by
district administration.