Greater Kashmir: Wednesday, September 9, 2015.
Jammu and Kashmir State Information Commission has summoned an official of the United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) over the group’s alleged refusal to provide information under JK RTI Act-2009.
In a notice- a copy of which is in possession of Greater Kashmir- the SIC has directed chief human resource officer/administrative officer of the UNMOGIP to appear before the full bench of the Commission on September 16, in connection with a complaint filed by Muhammad Hussain Bhat.
Bhat had sought information pertaining to some recruitment made by the UNMOGIP in Kashmir. After failing to get information from the UNMOGIP, he knocked the doors of State Information Commission.
“In connection with the complaint filed by Muhammad Hussain Bhat, you are informed to appear before Full Bench of SIC with counter statement and relevant records on September 16 (12:00 noon) at Srinagar office of the Commission for hearing of the complaint under JK RTI Act, 2009,” reads the notice served to chief human resource officer / administrative head, UNMOGIP, Srinagar.
When contacted, Chief Information Commissioner, GR Sufi confirmed that they have asked the UNMOGIP official to appear before the body to hear their viewpoint whether they fall under the State RTI Act or not.
“We are not saying that UNMOGIP falls under the RTI Act. Let them (UNMOGIP) prove that they don’t fall under the law,” he said.
“We will take final call on the matter only after hearing viewpoint from both the sides.”
When contacted, National Information Officer for the United Nations Information Centre in New Delhi, Rajiv Chandra said, “As per the established procedure, we will forward the summon issued to UNMOGIP to the Ministry of External Affairs.”
Another UN official said they won’t appear before SIC. “As per the established practice, we don’t appear before these institutions,” he said.
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