Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 23: Civil Society of Jammu has urged upon the Governor to keep the office of the Information Commission in J&K even after transition of the State into Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh so that people do not face problems and the transparency law is implemented in letter and spirit.
Addressing a press conference here today, convener of Sangarsh RTI Movement, Balvinder Singh Convener along with other prominent members of the civil society including ID Soni (State Commissioner, Bharat Scouts and Guides), said that as the State of Jammu & Kashmir is in transition for formation of Union Territory of J&K and Ladakh, this will repeal some state Acts as per the Annex 1 of the J&K Reorganization Act 2019.
He said Right to Information Act 2009 is applicable in J&K State till date but after formation of Union Territories, this Act will be replaced by the Right to Information Act 2005 both in J&K and Ladakh Union Territories. He said J&K State has a State Information Commission in place from the year 2009 and this commission is working till date and people from far flung areas of the state feel very pleased to reach the commission for filling second appeals and timely disposal by the Commission is the biggest achievement for implementation of the RTI Law.
“People living in far flung area of Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi, Gurez, Handwara, Ramban and Banihal are not so much educated to use the internet or other services for filling of their applications online but they feel comfortable to personally file the 2nd Appeal in the JKSIC under the provisions of RTI Act,” Balvinder said and urged Governor SP Malik to keep the office of the Information Commission in the UT so that people do not face problems.
Others present in the press conference were Shreyansh Kumar Jain (State Yoga Commissioner), Prof Sarla Kohli (Retd Principal), Des Raj Danish (president, Consumer Protection Organization, J&K), Madan Mohan (Retired Deputy Commandant CRPF) and Iqbal Singh (Retired Bank Manager).
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