Essence of RTI is to ensure corruption free governance: CIC

State Times: Udhampur: Sunday, February 04, 2018.

To streamline the working of State Information Commission (SIC), a seminar was organized at Sher-I- Kashmir Police Academy Udhampur on Saturday, wherein Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, was the Chief Guest.

State Information commissioner Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Director SKPA, M.S Salaria, Secretary Information Commission Ashok Kumar Pandita besides First Appellate Authorities (FAAs),and Public Information Officers (PIOs) of different units and wings of police department of the state were present in the programme.

Several issues were raised and discussed during the programme which was held with First Appellate Authorities (FAAs) and Public Information Officers (PIOs) of the police department.

The CIC said that one of the objectives of holding such seminars is to reduce the gap between the information provider and the information seeker. He also informed that earlier State Information commission conducted round table conferences in the district headquarters with First Appellate Authorities (FAAs), Public Information Officers (PIOs) and RTI Activists.

CIC 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 added. He maintained that Suo -Moto disclosure of information under section 4 needs to be followed in letter and spirit by all Public Authorities.

Khurshid Ganai appealed the PIOs and FAAs to comply with the provisions of J&K RTI Act, 2009 and called for timely response in providing information . Stressing on sustained awareness for trainees, he asked director SKPA to include RTI module in the training period.

Meanwhile, several case studies were also discussed to give detailed understanding regarding various provisions of the Act.

Later, the CIC distributed compendium prepared by CIC on J&K RTI Act 2009 and written material on Do’s and Don’t’s among the PIOs and FAAs.