GE AF willing to share info under RTI Act - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir

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GE AF willing to share info under RTI Act

6/13/2018 11:00:03 PM

Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 13: The Garrison Engineer (GE) Air Force 1 Wing Srinagar , who earlier disrespected Central RTI Act 2005 , after being grilled by his top officers has now agreed even to share the information under Jammu & Kashmir RTI Act 2009.
The officer had told an information seeker earlier that RTI Act was not applicable in Jammu & Kashmir. Early Times had carried few detailed reports on this issue and exposed the officer for violating the RTI law.
In a fresh communication Dated 16th May 2018 the Garrison Engineer (GE)Air Force 1 Wing Srinagar has been directed by his senior officer Md Shameem (EE QS&C) who is also the designated Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) under RTI Act 2005 to provide the information. The letter from CPIO reads :
"That RTI Act is applicable in J&K from March 20th 2009 and thus you are requested to furnish all the required documents to the complainant at the earliest " . Copy of the letter is available with Early Times as well.
As reported already due to lack of knowledge and information the Garrison Engineer (GE) had earlier told an aggrieved ex contractual employee that Right to Information Act 2005 is not applicable to J&K . The officer had returned the original RTI application and postal order of Rs 10 attached with the application as RTI fees. Recently the officer sent a letter to information seeker asking him to collect the information . The letter dated of May 2nd 2018 reads " You can collect the information from this office , this letter may be treated as gate pass"
Pertinent to mention that one Raashid Ashraf R/O Rather Mohalla Kralpora Chadoora filed an application under Central RTI Act 2005 via speed post which was addressed to Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) CWE 1 Wing Air-force . Raashid says that he was hired by an MES contractor at AF I wing and has been working at Air Force station Srinagar from last 7 years as DG set Operator. Along with him one more person Riyaz Ahmad Rather was also hired who worked as Fitter Mechanic.
"As Govt of India started disbursing payments online from year 2017 one Mr Prasad Assistant Garrison Engineer (AGE) and Contractor M/S Jaipal Associates told us and few other contractual employees that half of the monthly salary be returned back every month. Most of the employees agreed to it under pressure but myself and Riyaz did not agree as it was unjust and uncalled for. We were shown the door and thus our livelihood was snatched" said Raashid Ashraf while talking to Early Times
After being aggrieved they sought help from activists of J&K RTI Movement in Srinagar . They helped Raashid to file application under RTI Act 2005 (central RTI Act). But the response was negative as the Garrison Engineer (GE) categorically said RTI Act 2005 is not applicable to J&K. But after getting exposed through Early Times and subsequently by some other local newspapers the GE finally agreed to reveal the details to Raashid. This issue was highlighted on social media as well .

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