Rakib Altaf
SRINAGAR, Sept 18: The controversy which was sparked after authorities last month amended the rules governing the state’s Right to Information Act – considered the most successful tool for accountability and transparency – is refusing to die down.
On Tuesday, Jammu and Kashmir’s chief information commissioner met Governor N.N Vohra and complained to him about “constraints” which have arisen due to the new set of rules for the RTI Act, an official spokesperson said.
In August, chief minister Omar Abdullah, who has been vocal about his efforts to bring transparency in the public administration, was sharply criticised by activists and politicians alike over the new rules which have divested the chief information commissioner of initiating criminal proceedings against any officer who didn’t provide sought information within the stipulated time.
“On being informed about certain constraints in the enforcement of the State Right to Information Act 2009, the Governor hoped that these shall be resolved very soon,” the spokesperson said.
The authorities defended the move saying the new rules were prompted by the need to remove anomalies in the law and also to bring it at par with the central RTI Act.
They had added that the Chief Information Commissioner had recommended certain changes in the previous rules.
Also Read: After uproar, govt defends amendments in Kashmir RTI
“The State Chief Information Commissioner had also addressed to the Chief Minister indicated glaring disparity between the fee structure and copying charges under the State RTI Rules, 2010 and the Central RTI Rules and had recommended reduction in the rates. This, he said, would make the State RTI Act, 2009 accessible to more people in the J&K State,” an official spokesperson had said.
However, two days ago local newspapers reported that the Information Commission had only proposed minor changes in the rules, such as administrative positions and internal distribution of the work to “ensure its smooth functioning”.
The report, quoting two letters which the commission had sent to the chief minister and the general administration, claimed that the changes sought had nothing to do with weakening its authority by new rules.
