Rafiabad /Srinagar, September 04(Scoop News)-Former Minister and Member AICC Abdul Gani Vakil today expressed his happiness over the views expressed by J&K Chief Minister for bringing all political parties within the ambit of RTI Act. He said this move will definitely help in promoting and flourishing transparency at all levels in the system and can help in eradicating corruption in the state.
However, Mr. Vakil, reminded Chief Minister about the present position of the RTI Commission, which has been rendered toothless in the state as its decisions are no where respected or implemented in the state and its decision remain confined to ink and papers only. If Chief Minister was really interested in strengthening the RTI regime, he must have himself called the meeting of all PIO of the state and should have directed them to provide information to the applicants without distorting the facts and figures, which could have contributed a lot in strengthening the institution of RTI, mere providing of manpower and logistic support does not serve the purpose and objective of RTI Act, Vakil added.
Mr. Vakil, while addressing a public gathering at Ladua Ladoora Rafiabad, said in the recent past it came to light through RTI that near about 80% of the school building, which as per records stand constructed under SSA, are non-existent and left in the halfway without completion thereby 560 crores swindled in education department similarly more than 3000 works allotted without tenders in R&B department, but Chief Minister failed to take cognizance of the facts, which were in public domain. Consequently culprits felt encouraged and are roaming without any fear of the law of the land. He said that there are many instances when information obtained under this Act revealed bungling in Urban Development, Agriculture, PHE/Irrigation & FC and other Departments but no action was taken afterwards. Mr. Vakil said political considerations and affiliations must be ignored in taking cognizance of corruption and nepotism.
Mr. Vakil once again expressed his concern over the delay in execution of works in respect of development of upper belt of Rafiabad constituency as a place of tourist destination. He said that the non seriousness of the Government can be depicted through the fact that despite approved project of 8 crore in this behalf no step forward has been taken to execute the project of importance and public welfare, at earliest.
Besides others who addressed the gathering include Sr. Congress Leader and Ex MLC Haji Ali Mohammad Bhat, Sr. Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Shah, Haji Mohammad Afzal Khan and Pandit Brij Nath Nehru.
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