Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 13:It lambasts other public authorities for not making information available on their respective websites, but the State Information Commission has itself not made available contact number of its functionaries on its website.
Sources informed Early Times that one could contact the Commission through post or telephonically (land line telephone), as the number offunctionaries of the Commission is not available on website of the Commission.
"One has to personally visit the office, for even minor works, as nobody responds to calls on telephone numbers available on the website", said an information seeker, adding that number of registrar and secretary should be accessible on the website so that they could be contacted telephonically.
"Just below the lantern, lies the darkness is an appropriate phrase for SIC, where important information is hidden", said an official of the commission, wishing not to be named. He further said that several information seekers have approached the Commission, seeking contact details of officials on website, but same has not been met.
"In its most of the rulings, the commission has reprimanded PIOs and FAAs for not updating information on website. At time of e-governance and accountability, when majority of governments have uploaded all important information on website, including contact numbers HoDs of various department", said the official, adding that they were asked by their bosses not to share personal numbers (mobile) with visitors.
Terming SIC's attitude as opaque, the information seeker said the commission itself fully bureaucratize institution, where RTI activists remain in dilemma. "If you file an second appeal before the commission you have to wait till they response by post, it may take two months or more. Since there is not personal contact number of any officials is available in website, neither they pickup telephone (usually), the information seekers remain in dilemma", he said. |
