| From paper to portal: J&K embraces digital RTI filing, leads way among UTs | | CM Omar terms it as significant step towards enhancing transparency, accountability in governance | | 
Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 10: In a historic step towards transparency and accountability in governance, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday launched the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information (RTI) Online Portal.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched this portal at the Civil Secretariat, marking a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in governance.
This initiative made J&K one of the few Union Territories to adopt a digital platform for filing and processing RTI applications, marking a transformative step in facilitating citizen access to information.
The portal will serve as a centralized digital platform, providing a comprehensive database of RTI applications and appeals across all government departments. The system will enable citizens to submit RTI applications and appeals online, check the status of their applications in real-time, and receive responses electronically without physically visiting government offices.
Streamlined digital process will enhance the efficiency of responding to RTI applications, promote transparency, and minimize delays.
The RTI Portal will revolutionize how information is accessed in J&K. It represents a significant step towards ensuring accountability and reducing bureaucratic hurdles for citizens.
Nodal Officers at the Administrative Department level have been appointed in all departments to oversee the onboarding process of Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) and First Appellate Authorities (FAAs) onto the portal.
In his address, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated the officers involved in developing the portal, emphasizing its transformative potential in simplifying the RTI application process for citizens.
“This initiative will provide easy access to government information und The RTI online portal is a transformative step in facilitating citizen access to information.
The portal will serve as a centralized digital platform, providing a comprehensive database of RTI applications and appeals.
Nodal Officers at the Administrative Department level have been appointed in all departments to oversee the onboarding process.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated officers involved in developing the portal.
The Chief Minister also urged the concerned authorities to ensure widespread publicity of the initiative so that citizens across Jammu and Kashmir become aware of its benefits.
Developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) in Jammu and Kashmir, the portal introduces a shift from manual to online RTI applications. This transition enables citizens to submit RTI requests, track their status, and receive responses electronically, eliminating the need for physical visits to government offices.
Earlier, Secretary General Administration Department (GAD), M. Raju, delivered a presentation on the portal’s features, highlighting its accessibility, convenience, speed of processing, cost efficiency and role in promoting accountability.
He outlined the portal’s key functionalities, including its user-friendly interface, streamlined RTI workflow, and robust documentation features.
A unique feature of the portal is the issuance of a registration number to applicants via SMS and email for future reference, enabling easy tracking of RTI applications.
The portal integrates 61 government departments, 272 nodal officers/public authorities, 720 First Appellate Authorities (FAAs), and 3,419 Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) and Public Information Officers (PIOs), ensuring comprehensive coverage and making the citizens informed about the activities of the Government.
The launch event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Cabinet Ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana, and Javed Ahmad Dar. Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, administrative secretaries and senior officers were also present. |
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