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| IC stonewalls RTI crusaders application, refuses to divulge communication with CM | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 12: In sheer violation of Right to Information Act, Public Information Officer of Jammu and Kashmir State Information Commission after a pause of 40 days has rejected an RTI application on flimsy ground.
The Public Information Officer at State Information Commission rejected an RTI application of RTI activist Raman Sharma on the ground that the applicant had not mentioned the name of the 'Account Officer' on the Indian Postal Order of Rs. 10 which was annexed with the RTI plea as fees.
RTI application dated 08/Jan/2014 which was personally submitted by the applicant with the Public Information Officer on 16/Jan/2014 along with the stipulated fees remained unattended with the PIO of the commission for over 40 day and rejection letter, original application and fees is received back by the applicant only on 28/Feb/2014 i.e. after inordinate delay of over 40 days.
Though as per the provision of the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act 2009 vide section 7(1) it is mandatory on the part of the PIO to either provide the requisite information as expeditiously as possible but in no case later than 30 days or reject application citing valid exemption clause.
But here in this case the Public Information Officer at the State Information Commission, the apex RTI body which is supposed to be a guardian and trend setter for other Public Authorities to follow and honour the provisions of the transparency law blatantly flouted the provisions of the act and took over 40 days to respond.
While giving his reaction over the failure of the PIO to dispose of his application within stipulated period of 30 days, the applicant Raman Sharma termed it as most unfortunate action of the responsible officer and said that even if there was lack on his (applicant's) part then also as per section 6-1(b) the J & K RTI Act 2009 it is stated that the PIO shall render reasonable assistance to the person making the request.
He also informed that he received the rejection letter through ordinary post only which also highlights the callous approach of the commission towards the law.
He also informed that in his RTI application he has only asked for the copies of letters written by Chief Information Commissioner to the Chief Minister and there was no reason to deny this simple information.
Meanwhile, a senior official in SIC when contacted said that the RTI application filed by Raman was not in accordance with section 4 of J&K RTI Act 2009 as he should have filed a postal order addressed to account officer of public authorities.
He further said that the PIO informed the lacunae to RTI applicant for the rejection within 27 days as said by dispatch number, adding circular in this regard had already been issued by CIC. |
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