Srinagar- RTI activists in Jammu and Kashmir have urged the government to make filing of RTI applications in online mode operational.
RTI activists have voiced their displeasure over how things have been going on with regards to the RTI in the JK UT.
Activists say in the digital age people have to manually file RTI applications which is tiresome and costs much more at the same time.
RTI activist and advocate Badrul Duja said for filing RTI applications in physical mode people need to cover a long distance to file a simple RTI application. At a time when authorities are talking about digital India and E-governance, why isn’t it being digital and online.
“In other states one can file an RTI application for 10 rupees but in physical mode we end up paying around 100 rupees for a simple RTI application” Badrul said.
Chairman RTI Movement Dr Raja Muzaffar voiced similar views saying in every central government department the RTI has been made online.
“We come under the domain of central government why isn’t it being made online and that there is no Information Commission at present in JK”
“When we were a state, we had a state Information Commission. As we are UT now, there is no provision of State Commission in Union Territories. So we have been clubbed with the central information commission” Raja said.
Raja further said that earlier an RTI case would get disposed of in two to three months but now it takes a lot more time.
“Now that we are under the Central Information Commission, the hearing takes fifteen to eighteen months. In some cases because of an overdue time period, cases lose relevance. It becomes useless and a futile exercise” he said.
“the hearing time should be lessened and more importantly, RTI online filing should be made functional” Raja added.
Pertinently, on 16th December, 2022 the General Administration Department issued instructions on the Right to Information Act -2005, via circular no.50-JK (GAD) of 2022 wherein it is stated that “significant strides have been made by various, departments, offices and other agencies of the government in realizing the vision of the Right to Information act, 2005, more steps need to be taken to usher in accountability at all levels”
The circular further stated that it is enjoined upon all public offices to ensure strict adherence to the provisions of the act ibid and facilitate speedy dissemination of information to the information seeker.
“All public offices shall sensitize their CPIO’s on important provisions of the RTI regime viz. voluntary disclosure of information, adherence to the prescribed timelines for disposal of RTI applications and appropriate disposal of appeals by the appellate authorities” the circular reads.
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