Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 20: State Information Commissioner (SIC) SK Sharma said that the Right to Information law is a powerful weapon which should be used judiciously and responsibly by citizens. He said that the proper use of RTI as a tool can lead to curbing and ending corruption from many spheres of life.
Sharma said that corruption is such a bane of our society that it is eating into the vitals of our democracy. The tool of RTI can be used to strengthen democracy and ensure transparency and openness, he added.
Sharma was speaking at a seminar organized jointly by Sangarsh RTI Movement and Universal Foundation to create awareness in the civil society at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar.
Sangarsh RTI convenor Balwinder Singh explained in detail the journey of RTI Act, passed on March 20, 2009, by the State Legislature.
Speaking on the occasion, Dineshwar Jamwal of the Universal Foundation said that RTI in J&K needs to be promoted by the public as it can help create transparency, as also curb corruption.
Lawyer Aseeem Sawhney spoke on the issue of litigation and how lawyers are now in a position to use the RTI for gathering information relating the cases they have to contest in the courts. He said that information gathered through RTI regarding illegal appointments, wrong actions on the part of authorities etc can be used for filing cogent cases in courts of law.
RTI activist Raman Sharma and Dr Hemla Aggarwal, Principal of the college also spoke on the occasion.
RTI activist Deepak Sharma coordinated the programme and presented vote of thanks.