Transparency is the buzz word of administrative reforms these days. It means that whatever is happening people should be in know of it. It is a characteristic of democracy that information should be available to all. In other words it means that accessibility has not to be denied or hindered. Keeping in view the difficulties faced in the collection of vital statistics relating to economic, demographic, social, educational, scientific and environmental aspects from individuals or private set-ups, which is otherwise imperative for proper planning, the State Government, about two years back, decided to make concealing or suppression of information a punishable offence by overhauling the ‘obsolete’ Act of 1961.
Accordingly, a bill was introduced in the Budget Session of 2010 by none else than the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who is also holding the portfolio of Planning and Development Department. The Bill became the Act in August 2010 and since then the exercise was going on to frame the Rules, which act as beacon light for the implementation of any piece of legislation. Now, after two years the Rules duly vetted by the Law Department have been placed before the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who is likely to accord his approval within next few days in order to ensure collection of required statistics for proper planning in the State, sources said. This is a positive move forward in further democratizing the system and improving good governance. Once the Act come into force, people can benefit from it in a big way. Vital statistics hitherto withheld by institutions, organizations, and business houses will have to be made public on demand. Not to provide information is an offence cognizable under rules.
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