Srinagar- Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta on Saturday held interactive sessions with the Right to Information Act (RTI) and social activists in the twin capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu in the Union Territory.
In Srinagar, the interaction was held on Saturday morning at Banquet Hall, and later in the afternoon at Convention Center, Jammu as part of the ongoing Vigilance Awareness Week.
Besides Commissioner Secretary, GAD senior civil and police functionaries from Divisional & District Administrations were present at both the venues. These included Divisional Commissioner Kashmir/Jammu; Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar/Jammu; SSP Srinagar/Jammu; Commissioner JMC/SMC; several HoDs and other Sectoral Officers of the concerned districts.
The RTI Activists from different parts of the Kashmir and Jammu divisions participated in these interactions and made various suggestions for further enhancing transparency, accountability and speedy delivery of public services in a corruption free environment.
Chairman JK RTI Movement Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat and other participants urged CS to start an online RTI portal so that people can seek information through digital mode. CS agreed this in person and said online RTI will be a reality soon Issues related to bungling in PM Ujjwala Yojna and unscientific waste management in rural areas were also raised by RTI Movement activists
Senior Members gave some suggestions for better Governance which were well taken by CS especially starting an online RTI portal.
CS said since the introduction of the digital governance system in the UT, filing of RTI applications by people has seen a sharp dip as all information about government schemes, development works, their implementation and execution is available in public domain. He encouraged all of them to often visit the Janbhagadari portal for so as to keep people informed of works under implementation in their areas.
The Chief Secretary also made a mention of PSGA bolstered by the feedback mechanisms of Auto-appeal and RAS which has increased the efficiency of service delivery to public substantially. He revealed that the delivery of services hovers at around 80% within laid down time lines and more than 86% applicants have given the positive feedback regarding this services availed by them.
On the occasion, the Chief Secretary stressed on the RTI activists to extend their constructive support to the administration in weeding out undesirable elements which misuse processes for private benefits.
Dr Mehta maintained that the Government has adopted a zero tolerance towards corruption and has worked on the principle of increasing citizen participation in governance, with more accountability and transparency in government business.
With regard to the burning societal issue of drug menace, the Chief Secretary said that the government is committed to make the UT ‘NashaMukht’. He stated that it is evident that the legal action against the drug trade has been greatly enhanced with increased focus of police and civil administration.
He maintained that hundreds of FIRs had been registered during this year against the persons involved in this illicit trade. He enumerated measures taken by government like establishment Deaddiction centers in every district, enhanced vigil on drug stores and creating of awareness among students in schools and colleges. He urged these Social Activists to play their role and cooperate with the Administration in total eradication of this menace from J&K.
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