I went through an article, “Information under RTI through an online mode” by Raja Muzaffar Bhat ( Kashmir Observer 7/4/2021). I have myself been trying my best to get information through digital mode but there is not a single Govt department which receives or provides information digitally. Only recently I sent an RTI application to District Panchayat Officer (DPO) Budgam through email and attached my PHH Ration card with it as I am exempted from paying Rs 10 application fees. The only thing I did was called the officer and updated her about my emailed RTI. The application was immediately transferred to the Block Development Office Nagam who provided me information within 10 days only. The information about swachh bharat mission is although incomplete but I appreciate the efforts of DPO Budgam. Some time back the Forest Department also sent me a reply by email
If the Govt cannot create online RTI portals at least applicants can send their RTI applications through email. Let all the offices open a separate RTI account where Rs 10 application fees can be transferred through digital mode as is done during online transactions. The PHH or BPL applicants can attach a copy of the ration card with the email. The ration card can be in their name or in the name of parents. Govt officers actually want to deny the information to the public. They don’t want to be questioned. They are public servants only on papers but exhibit bossism. It is otherwise not a big deal to receive or provide information digitally using basic techniques like email.
Mushtaq Ahmad Lone
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