Muzaffar highlights poor implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, following the State’s historical record of stonewalling laws meant to promote public good
(Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, 35, was born in Wathoora village in the Budgam district and matriculated from Tyndale Biscoe Memorial High School in 1993. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Dental Surgery from from the Karnatka University in 2000. He has a private dental practice in Chandoora and is a social activist dedicated to educating public on the Right To Information (RTI) legislation. He is the Convener of the J&K RTI Movement and associated with the Commonwealth Human Rights Intitiative (CHRI) office in New Delhi.)
RTI Act Not Implemented Fully in J&K
Srinagar: The J&K RTI Movement Convener, Dr Muzaffar Bhat today said the J&K Right to Information Act was yet to be implemented in the state in letter and spirit.
“We are yet to receive information under the Act on assets of IAS officers, National Mental Health Policy and old age, handicap pensions from GAD, Health and Social Welfare departments,” Dr Muzaffar said in a statement.
“In fact CM’s office intervened in one such case and CM’s political advisor wrote a letter to Social Welfare department several months back, but we are yet to receive any reply,” he added.
“The PIO’s do not provide information within stipulated time under the Act. We have filed applications in state Home department in March regarding details of custodial disappearances and other rights issues, but till date we have not received any reply. We wanted to file complaint with the State Information Commission, but the it is yet to be constituted,” he said adding the RTI applications were being “thrown in dustbins” by the departments.
He said almost all the designated Public Information Officers and Assistant Public Information Officers of various Government departments “had not received” any formal training on implementation of J&K RTI Act 2009. “Since the enactment of Act 2009 in March 2009 the Government has conducted only one training programme for the officials,” he said adding the people were not aware about RTI law and not a single programme had been sponsored by the Government for creating awareness among masses through radio, TV or print media.