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| Panchayati Raj under Omar ZEO asks Sarpanch to file RTI to get Information? | | | ET REPORT
Budgam, Nov 7: At a time when Rahul Gandhi vows to ensure extension of 73rd amendment of in J&K , an elected panchayat representative (Sarpanch) in Central Kashmr's Budgam district was told by a Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) to file an application under RTI Act as the Sarpanch wanted some important details about mobile/seasonal schools operating within the jurisdiction of his panchayat.
As per reports the Sarpanch of Nagbal, Ghulam Mohammad Ahangar sought details about number of mobile cum seasonal schools operating the various areas of panchayat halqa Nagbal Yousmarg which is a hilly village located under the foothills of Pirpanchal mountains in Budgam district.
Ahangar said that he went to office of the ZEO Chararisharief on September 26th to get details about the mobile seasonal functioning in various areas in Nagbal Yousmarg as there were lots of complaints from the locals that such schools are in a pathetic condition. "I was shocked to hear from the ZEO that I must file an application under RTI Act to seek such details," he told Early Times.
"On one side Omar Abdullah tells that such and such departments have been put under direct supervision of Panchatays & Sarpanches but on the ground not a single official cooperates with us . I gave a written letter to ZEO on my letter head that I want information about seasonal schools as it is a matter of public importance but I am totally disgusted with the callous behavior of the said officer as he seems to have no idea about how to deal with an elected public representative," he lamented.
Sarpanch approached Chief Education Officer (CEO) Budgam and he also told him to file RTI as they were not supposed to provide official information to anyone which includes a Sarpanch.
" What is the fun of being a Sarpanch or a Panch if we also have to file RTI applications like other citizens in various Government offices to seek details about our own panchayati halqa which we represent?" said Shahnawaz Sultan Convener of J&K Panchayati Raj Movement
"This means that now MLA will have to file application under RTI Act to seek details about works executed in his assembly constituency. We strongly resent this behavior of Government officials," he added.
It is not the case of Sarpanch from Nagbal Yousmarg only but there are many such Sarpanches who are facing similar problems and embarrassment in various Government offices and nobody is ready to listen to them. With the assurances from Rahul Gandhi the Panchayati representatives from J&K are now hopeful that very soon they will be empowered enough to meet such challenges.
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