Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 28: The Jammu and Kashmir RTI Movement today commemorated International Access to Information Day, observed globally on September 28 every year.
The event was organized in collaboration with Peace School, Nagam Chadoora.
While addressing the students and teachers of Peace School, Chairman of the Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement, Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, provided a historical overview of the Right to Information law in India, explaining how it was enacted following the landmark Supreme Court judgment in the Raj Narayan vs. Union of India case.
He detailed the provisions of the RTI Act 2005, urging students and faculty to use the law not only to hold government officials accountable but also to foster a deeper understanding of participatory democracy.
This year’s theme for International Access to Information Day is “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector.”
Dr Bhat called on public authorities, particularly designated Public Information Officers (PIOs), to refrain from making RTI applicants wait the full 30 days for information.
He emphasized that Section 7 of the RTI Act mandates that PIOs should provide information as quickly as possible.
Several eminent speakers also addressed the gathering, including Dr. Rouf Mohiuddin-Director of Koshish, Chairman of Peace School Nagam Athar Parvaiz Mir, Administrator Ajaz Jalal, RTI Movement Budgam Coordinator Mushtaq Ahmed, Shabir Ahmed Bhat, Coordinator at Pratham, and social activist Amir Khan.
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