Avinash Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 13: In an attempt to conceal the bungling done by them, have concealed information sought by an RTI applicant. Astoundingly, the Assistant Commissioner Development (ACD) Kathua, has ratified the misleading replies filed by the BDOs, raising doubts on his role in the misdeeds of his subordinate officers.
According to an information seeker, following complaint of bungling in of blocks in Kathua district, two RTIs were filed. "I randomly picked two blocks, i.e. Dinga Amb and Lakhanpur (Keerian Gandyal) of district Kathua", the information seeker said and alleged despite lapse of stipulated time, the public information officers (PIOs) of concerned blocks did not furnish the information.
"As per the RTI Act, I filed first appeal to first appellate authority (FAA), i.e. ACD Kathua, however, in the meantime I received reply from BDO Lakhanpur without any substantiated answers of questions asked in the RTI", he said adding that in his reply the PIO referred MGNREGA website and higher ups in reply of all the questions.
However, BDO Dinga Amba even did not bother to reply. "The FAA (ACD) Katuha, vide number ACD/K.2018-19/13219-22, dated 08/03/2019 and another order, disposing of complaints in a very irrational way, forwarded same copies replies to the information seeker, even without raising any question over what his PIOs have done", he said and added even a layman could understand what the J&K RTI Act says.
"There was no difference in the entire reply given by the both PIOs except, number/date i.e. BDO/DA/2018-19/1355, dated 28/01/2019 and BDO/L/2018-19/1013, dated 07/01/2019 and their addresses", the information seeker said.
The information seeker said that he would further file second appeal before the commission. "Astonishingly, being aware that his irresponsible reply can be challenged in before the commission, the ACD tried his best to shield the PIOs/BDOs, which raises doubts that he too was hands in glove with his BDOs in alleged bungling of funds", he added. |
