Brighter Kashmir: Abid Hussain: Srinagar: Friday, January 19, 2018.
The J&K Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) has violated all the norms of Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2009 by not appointing Public Information Officer (PIO) and providing misleading information in response to application, reveals an RTI filed by this reporter.
The RTI which was addressed to PIO, got reply from Accounts Officer (AO), which is a mockery with the Act. In a query, applicant had sought information about preservation, funds, area shrunk and safety of Dal and Nigeen lakes but instead of giving relevant details, the AO who has not any authority to deal with RTI, provided vague and irrelevant information.
None of the questions raised by the applicant got correct and complete reply. Two questions received misleading answers, one got half answer and other was ignored by AO.
Instead of disclosing information, the AO hid behind these words, “Not pertaining to the Accounts Section, the information can be had from engineering wing.”
However, according to section (5) of RTI Act, every public authority shall designate PIO, who is supposed to facilitate requests but here in LAWDA, AO has been given the task, only to mislead information seekers. The incumbent AO has also sent a copy of vague reply to Vice Chairman LAWDA.
Meanwhile, Chairman J&K RTI Movement and activist, Dr Sheikh Ghulam Rasool when informed about the strange reply of LAWDA told Brighter Kashmir that the said department has violated the Act. “It’s the job of PIO not AO to deal with RTI,” he said.
Adding neither PIO could transfer application within same public authority nor mislead applicants rather has to collect details and provide directly to information seekers. Dr Rasool further added, “PIO can transfer application only if information is held by another public authority.”
It is pertinent to mention, LAWDA was created and given mandate by the government of J&K to conserve and manage world famous Dal and Nigeen lakes. However, people of Kashmir bear witness that the said authoritiy despite spending crores desperately failed to protect twin lakes.
Sources privy to LAWDA said, “Department is involved in scams, therby is not disclosing any information.” Adding LAWDA is a failed department and government must take measures to streamline it and also launch a probe.
Brighter Kashmir demand strict action against erring officials including AO for not appointing a PIO and giving misleading information to the applicant.
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