Sir,
This refers to recent article titled as [Implementing central RTI law in J&K] by Dr Raja Muzaffar (DE 17/12/2019). RTI implementation in Jammu & Kashmir has been dented a lot due to repealing of JK State RTI Act 2009 as hundreds of appeals and complaints pending before State Information Commission have remained un-disposed as this commission like several other commissions has been abolished under J&K Re-organisation Act 2019. It is the duty of Government that it must set up a bench of Central Information Commission (CIC) in J&K that would hear complaints and appeals under RTI Act 2005 (central law) which is applicable in J&K from 31st October 2019. Dr Muzaffar has rightly said in his article that people from places like Ladakh , Kupwara , Kishtwar or Poonch will face lots of difficulties in approaching Central Information Commission at New Delhi. This is highly impossible and the result will be decrease in seeking information under RTI Act.
People who had developed lots of hopes vis a vis RTI Act will get demoralized which will further alienate people. Corrupt officials in Govt offices will continue to fleece poor citizens. I appeal Lt Governor G.C. Murmu, Chief Secretary B V R Subramanium and Secretary GAD Farooq Lone to seriously think of setting up of State Information Commission benches in Srinagar and Jammu.
Sanjeev Kumar
Trikuta Nagar Jammu
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