GreaterKashmir.com:
Srinagar: Sunday, November 18, 2012.
Terming the
repeal of Right to Information (RTI) Rules -2010 in Jammu and Kashmir as
setback to civil rights of masses, former Central Chief Information
Commissioner and incumbent Chairman National Commission for Minorities Wajahat
Habibullah on Saturday said that RTI rules recently implemented by the state
government are insufficient.
“When Centre realized that its RTI Rules were
insufficient, JK Government, surprisingly, implemented the same (insufficient
Rules). It was not only assault on RTI
activists but an attack on rights of politicians, policemen and government
employees,” Wajahat said addressing a consultation worshop organized by JK RTI
movement in collaboration with Center
for Environment and Development.
“The old RTI Rules in JK were stronger than
Central Rules,” he added. Wajahat, who has opposed the amendments made by General
Administration Department in RTI Rules, said the replacement of RTI Rules has
lead to the clipping of the wings of State Information Commission (SIC).
Member of Legislative Assembly Langate Er
Rashid said that State Government has miserably failed to implement RTI Act and
Public Service Guarantee Act on ground.
Rashid alleged that he was denied information
by the Legislative Assembly over expenditure incurred on outside state tours of
ministers and bureaucrats.
Convener of Jammu and Kashmir Right to
Information Movement, Sheikh Ghulam Rasool castigated State Government for
amending RTI Rules.
Tanveer Hussain of ANHAD accused State
Information Commission (SIC) of sabotaging disclosure of information by “delaying in deciding the appeals filed before it”.
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