The Central Information Commission’s directive to public offices in the UT to enhance compliance with proactive disclosure norms under the Right to Information Act is a significant step toward transparent governance. Public offices must view voluntary information disclosure as a norm, reducing citizens’ dependency on formal RTI applications to access public information. Transparency, especially in Government functions, forms the cornerstone of a well-functioning democracy. The RTI Act’s Section 4(2) mandates that public authorities regularly provide vital information through various channels, including digital platforms. The CIC’s directive emphasises this, pushing for a systemic shift where open access to information should be the rule, with formal requests for information being the exception. Specifically, the directive targets several J&K Government departments, urging them to disclose details of public works, recruitment processes, and expenditures under programs like the Swachh Bharat Mission and MGNREGA. The need for transparency becomes more pressing in areas like recruitment and resource allocation, where allegations of favouritism or misallocation can erode public trust.
Moreover, the Indian Red Cross Society in J&K has been asked to publish details of its donations, expenditures, and activities, ensuring that the public has access to comprehensive information on how funds are utilized. This is an important example of how non-profit organisations, though technically separate from Government bodies, are also accountable to the public when operating within Governmental frameworks. The CIC has also underlined the necessity of adhering to the RTI Act’s Sections 8, 9, and 10, which deal with exempted information and partial disclosure. This ensures that sensitive information is protected, even as transparency is enhanced. In instances where public authorities fail to disclose or delay responses, such as the J&K Waqf Board, the CIC’s insistence on written explanations from the CPIOs underlines the seriousness of these delays and their impact on citizens’ right to information. Accountability for delays is essential to ensuring the spirit of the RTI Act. The CIC’s push towards transparency calls for J&K’s administration to align its practices with the spirit of open governance.
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