| COVID-19: CIC to hear J&K appeals through video, audio conferences | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 18: In the backdrop of lockdown imposed to combat the spread of COVID-19, the Central Information Commission (CIC) will hear appeals through video/audio conferences.
The Central Information Commission had started hearing appeals of Right to Information (RTI) applicants from the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh from Friday, May 15.
On behalf of the CIC, Senior Information Commissioner D P Sinha has been entrusted responsibility of RTIs from both the UTs, Singh said after a meeting with Chief Information Commissioner Bimal Julka, who called on him to update on the issue.
“The Right to Information Act, 2005 has come into effect in the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Second appeals arising out of the implementation of the Act alongwith complaints shall now be heard in the Central Information Commission, New Delhi,” reads government order.
“In view of the present COVID-19 situation, the CIC shall be hearing appeals through video/audio conferences. In a video conference held by the Chief Information Commissioner, CIC, it was brought to the notice of the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor that the appellants/complainants are facing difficulties in availing the NIC video conferencing facilities at various District Headquarters,” the order reads further.
“Accordingly, all the Deputy Commissioners are advised to ensure that the video conferencing facilities available at NICs of District Headquarters are made available/accessible to all such appellants/complainants as and when their appeals/complaints are listed for hearing,” the order reads further.
” Notices issued by the CIC in respect of such hearings may be treated as valid proof for availing the video conferencing facility. These instructions are circulated for strict compliance,” reads the order.
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