RTI Act is people friendly act :CIC

Srinagar, March 19 (Scoop News) -Saying that the Right to Information Act (RTI) has been made in the Jammu and Kashmir state to bring accountability, efficiency and transparency in the administration, Chief Information Commissioner,  G. R. Sufi said that the RTI Act is people friendly act as it has direct dealing with the common man. Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) asked the Public Information Officers to clear all the applications received by them under the act as soon as possible.

The Chief Information Commissioner was addressing Public Information Officers (PIOs) of all the departments of Kashmir division here today. The Director Information and Public Relations, Khawaja Farooq Rensuzhah and District Development Commissioner, Srinagar,  M.A. Kakroo, ADC and  M.A. Ganai were also present on the occasion.

             Sufi urged upon the HoDs to declare PIOs in their departments and maintain all the records duly catalogued and indexed in a manner and the form which facilitates the right information instructions, public rules and regulations, beneficiaries of such programmes etc.

            He said that the PIOs are responsible for disseminating all information pertaining to general public good and assist asked them to asset the information seekers. The  Sufi said that the Act provides opportunity to seek any information not only to a common man but to officers and officials also. He said the commission would take all possible steps to get the Act implemented in letter and spirit. He said that the officers declared responsible for disseminating the information should not sleep over the matter and should not make it a repository. He cautioned that sleeping over the matter is more dangerous and will bring the officer under punitive action.

            The Chief Information Commissioner appreciated the working of the officers of the Jammu and Kashmir state and said “Jammu and Kashmir has a galaxy of dedicated and efficient officers and therefore I have no doubt that the Act will be implemented in letter and spirit in the state.”

            The Director Information and Public Relations in his address said that the Jammu and Kashmir state has always remained a trend setter and assured all possible support to the commission for making the people aware regarding the advantages of the RTI Act. He said the department of Information is already making the people apprised about the programmes and policies of the government.

            The District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, earlier, welcomed the Chief Information Commissioner and unfolded various measures taken by the administration to update all the information and said revenue record is also being computerised. He on behalf of the PIOs assured the Chief Information Commissioner that no laxity in providing the information to any person will be shown.

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