Unfortunate Suggestion by J & K CIC GR Sufi to weaken RTI Act

Misuse of RTI act can be checked: J&K CIC

10th/March/2013, Zee News

Aurangabad: Chief Information Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir GR Sufi on Sunday said that the misuse of RTI act can be checked if a provision is made in the law that any information or record would be open for access to public only for three years. 


GR Sufi, Chief Information Commissioner, J & K



Sufi was speaking at a meeting at Dr Rafiq Zakaria Campus here today.    

He said that the way out could be if information under RTI is allowed to be accessed only for three years to public and later only if there is judiciary requirement or any such important reason.

http://zeenews.india.com/news/jammu-and-kashmir/misuse-of-rti-act-can-be-checked-jandk-cic_834245.html

 Published in Zee News, PTI, Business Standard and others on 10th/March/2013

DoPT blazes a trail, allows RTI online

Postnoon | March 7, 2013 : In a surprise move, the Department of Personnel & Technology has become the first in all government departments to accept RTI applications filed online. While the DoPT has been instrumental in helping the Central government's many attempts at diluting the RTI Act's powers, the move comes as a surprise. What is more interesting is that many other departments are ready to follow suit after the DoPT's move.

The novel feature can be accessed by enrolling at the website www.rtionline.gov.in. Payment details and confirmation receipts can also be obtained online, which ensures complete transparency and protects the identity of the applicant. Activist Rakesh Reddy Dubbudu says, "It is a welcome move and we hope that other departments too begin to accept RTI requests that are filed online.This has been something that has been demanded from all quarters for quite a while now." He, however, adds that the RTI can only be effectively used when people are ready to fight from the ground level.

Published in Postnoon on 07/Mar/2013: http://postnoon.com/2013/03/07/dopt-blazes-a-trail-allows-rti-online/112757

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RTI in UPSC

The new format of the Group 1 Civil Services has included Ethics and Integrity and Right to Information in its syllabus. The new paper has laid emphasis on these two topics while laying a special coverage of the RTI Act beginning from the philosophical basis of governance and probity, to work culture, citizens charters, utilisation of public funds, challenges of corruption etc. DoPT has also changed the marks distribution of papers and increased the number of compulsory subject papers of general studies for the main examination. From Civil Services (Mains) exams, 2013, there will be four compulsory general services papers of 250 marks each, in addition to two optional papers of 250 marks each.

Earlier, there were two compulsory papers on general studies and two optional papers of 300 marks each. Total marks for the main exams will be 1,800. The paper on essay and English comprehension will continue to be of 300 marks. This decision was headed by Professor Arun S Nigavekar former chairman of UGC and the changes were granted by the prime minister. The prelims of the UPSC Group 1 exams will be held on May 26 and the last date for application is April 4.

Published in Postnoon on 07/Mar/2013: http://postnoon.com/2013/03/07/dopt-blazes-a-trail-allows-rti-online/112757

JK Activist approaches NHRC seeking action against 'Brutal Cops' of Punjab Police

NL Correspondent Jammu, Mar. 05: Demanding stern action against the brutal cops of Punjab Police who have been caught on camera assaulting a helpless young girl there in Taran Taran town of Punjab, a Jammu based RTI activist has approached the National Human Rights Commissing against the Punjab Police personnel. In his online petition to NHRC, activist Raman Sharma has sought the intervention of the Chairman of the Commission in this inhumane act. He has submitted, "In Tarantaran on 04.03.2013 three to four well build policemen surrounded a young girl and mercilessly beaten her on road with batons and slaps allegedly for her complaining against some ones for sexual harassment. Sir, these Policemen have crossed all the limits of humanity and a question mark is raised that are we living in a civilized country where such scenes and happenings defame country in the global world apart from causing sensational panic amongst the innocent citizens regarding brutality by goons in uniform? Beating of a girl, that too by male policemen, cannot be justified and allowed even if the victim may be at fault". The activist in his 9 points demand besides demanding termination of all the delinquent officers and arrest has also asked the NHRC chairman to place the concerned SSP under suspension for appointing such insensitive officers at public place who had no respect for citizens and the law. Sharma has also asked the Human Rights Panel Chairman to put the Director General of Punjab Police also on notice for not imparting human rights training to the officers who are deputed in Police Stations and other places of public dealing. The home secretary of the Punjab State should offer a public apology to the girl and ensure her security along with a suitable compensation for the harassment and brutality. Raman has also urged the NHRC to issue a circular that if in future any policemen found indulged in such heinous crime of even touching a women or beating a women comes into notice his services would be terminated without any explanation. Human Rights law training should be made compulsory for all officers/official before their appointments at Police Stations or any other public dealing place. http://www.thenorthlines.com/newsdet.aspx?q=63309 ..................................................... JK RTI Activist approaches NHRC, seeks dismissal of PP cops GK NEWS NETWORK Jammu, Mar 5:  Demanding stern action against the   cops of Punjab Police who were   caught on camera assaulting a   young girl   in Tarantaran town  , a Jammu based RTI activist has approached the National Human Rights Commission seeking immediate dismissal of the erring policemen.  RTI activist, Raman Sharma, filed an online petition with the NHRC seeking the intervention of the NHRC chairman in providing justice to the victim girl.     The activist in his 9 point petition,  demanded  termination of all the cops involved in the attack  and suspension of  concerned SSP . Sharma has also urged  the Human Rights Panel Chairman to put the Director General of Punjab Police   on notice for not imparting human rights training to the officers who are deputed in Police Stations and other places of public dealing. The home secretary of the Punjab State should offer a public apology to the girl, ensure her security along with a suitable compensation for the harassment and brutality. Raman has also urged the NHRC to issue a circular that   any policeman   found indulging  in such heinous crimes  in future would be terminated without any explanation, besides making  Human Rights law training   compulsory for all officers/officials before their appointment  at Police Stations or any other public dealing place. http://jammu.greaterkashmir.com/news/2013/Mar/6/jk-rti-activist-approaches-nhrc-seeks-dismissal-of-pp-cops-62.asp ---------------- published in Norhtlines, Greater Kashmir, JK Newspoint and others on 06.03.2013

RTI to go online this month, govt to launch epostal orders

Aloke Tikku, Hindustan Times, New Delhi, March 03, 2013:  Your right to information is taking a big leap, into cyberspace. The government will launch two web portals this month to enable citizens to file their information requests and receive responses over the web. The move will coincide with the department of posts launching an electronic version of postal orders, giving Indians abroad the option to pay for the information using postal orders. The e-postal order would initially be only available to Indians abroad and would be later extended to everyone living in the country.

The postal department's project is largely aimed at Indians abroad and is the outcome of RTI activists who complained about their inability to file RTI applications from foreign countries.

It is the second project - driven by the Department of Personnel and Training - that could change the way most people file RTI applications. It enables information applicants to pay Rs. 10 fee using a credit or debit card. Once the system stabilizes, applicants in India too can use the e-postal orders like the NRIs.

RTI activist Lokesh Batra - one of those who nudged the government to issue e-postal orders - said he was glad it was finally becoming a reality.

The online applications would initially start with DoPT and would be gradually expanded to cover all public authorities under the central government.

Government sources said the project to let people file online applications was in line with state minister V Narayanaswamy pushing officials to raise the transparency bar. In fact, the source said, it was on account of the minister's insistence that the department had started uploading some orders on its website.

Narayanaswamy envisaged a situation where the department would upload every order issued by his ministry at the end of the day. Once this target was achieved, he intends to persuade other departments to replicate their transparency model.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/RTI-to-go-online-this-month-govt-to-launch-epostal-orders/Article1-1020575.aspx

Enact ‘Fire Safety Act’: Activist approaches SHRC

Enact 'Fire Safety Act': Activist approaches SHRC

Newspoint Bureau, 05/March/2013

Jammu Tawi: Deepak Sharma, a Jammu based Human rights activist has approached J&K State Human Rights Commission seeking its direction to the state government for enacting 'Fire Safety Act' in the state. The activist in the complaint filed to the human rights panel, has submitted that the State Government is ignoring the safety of its citizens from fire accidents in the absence of 'Fire Safety Act' in the state and prayed to the State Human Rights Commission to issue appropriate directions to the State Government to enact 'Fire Safety Act' at the earliest to protect the fundamental right of 'Right to Life' of innocent citizens of the state and to avoid any tragic fire accident. While appreciating the role of Fire and Emergency Services Department in saving the lives and properties of the people in case of fire accidents, the activist alleged that though there exists Fire and Emergency Services Department in the state but in the absence of any 'Fire Safety Act', the department remained not more than a recommendatory body and hence not able to take any action in case of non compliance of the recommendations.

The department in one of its communication to the activist has shown its helplessness to take strict action against the defaulters and admits that since there is no stringent enforcement as on date in absence of Fire Act, as such the department only issues the recommendations for adopting fire safety measures but these recommendations are not taken seriously by the concerned and also since they are not vested with the power to inspect whether the recommendations has been complied or not , most of the times the recommendations remains only on papers.

http://www.jknewspoint.com/newsdet.aspx?q=9210

Also Published in JK Newspoint, The Northlines and others on 05/March/2013

Valid RTI Plea rejected on flimsy Ground by Resident Commission, Twice

After 4 years of RTI filing , Resident Commissioner pretends ignorance of rules

Valid RTI Plea rejected on flimsy Ground

GOF Staff Reporter

3/4/2013 10:39:33 PM

New Delhi/Jammu, March 4:
Despite completion of 4 years of implementation of Right to Information Act in Jammu and Kashmir, yet many officers even do not know the basic rules of the Act and are harassing the innocent information seekers due to lack of their knowledge about the law. In a bizarre incident of its kind the Public Information Officer, PIO of Resident Commission of Jammu and Kashmir Government at New Delhi rejected the RTI application of an applicant not just once but twice.
On 4/Dec/2012, RTI Activist S Balvinder Singh through registered post submitted an RTI application with the PIO, Resident Commissioner, of JK Government at 5, Prithvi Raj Road New Delhi along with stipulated fees of Rs. 10 in shape of Indian Postal order. But shockingly, his RTI plea was turned down by the concerned officer citing deficiency with a note “ the application is not written on the prescribed perform”. Though the applicant again apprised the said officer with his letter on 7/Jan/2013 that there is no such rule or performa for any RTI application in existing RTI rules, 2012 issued vide SRO no 279 last year, the applicant had even sent one photocopy of these rules to the officer for knowledge.
Again to his surprise, the applicant received another rejection letter signed by Nitasha Singh, Under Secretary at RC, New Delhi, in this rejection letter, the officer vide her letter no. KRC/Misc/53/2010/366/13 dated 06/02/2013 has demanded Rs. 100/- for providing information and have returned the RTI application in original along with the fees of Rs. 10/- (IPO).
Irked over the deliberate attempts of the PIO to suppress the sought information, the applicant, RTI Activist in a written complaint with the Jammu and Kashmir State Information Commission has urged the Chief Information Commissioner GR Sufi to take necessary action against the delinquent officers who are hell bent to deprive the citizens of their fundamental rights and over rule the law that is passed by none other than the State Legislature to bring transparency and accountability in the system. In his complaint to the commission the activist has also submitted to the Commission that copies of all the order/rules/legislations passed by the state government of Jammu and Kashmir are also copied/despatched to the Resident Commission at New Delhi for favour of Information and their casual approach must be dealt strictly to avoid any further harassment to any other citizen.

http://www.glimpsesoffuture.com/newsdet.aspx?q=21486

published in Glimpse of Future, JK Newspoint, The Northlines and many more on 05/March/2013

ASCOMS--Batra Hospital declared as Public Authority

SIC declares ASCOMS Public Authority, asks to ‘Follow RTI Act’

GK NEWS NETWORK

 

Jammu, Mar 1: In a landmark judgement, the Jammu and Kashmir State Information Commission on Friday declared State’s only Private Medical College, ASCOMS, Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences at  Sidhra, Jammu (often known as Batra Hospital, ) as a Public Authority as defined under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act 2009.
The State Information Commissioner Dr S.K Sharma while deciding the case has held that ASCOMS possess the essential elements/ingredients of section 2(f)(4)(a) &  (b) which is substantially financed by the government and controlled by the different agencies under the state government. The Medical Council of India, University of Jammu, Board of Professional Entrance Examinations, (BOPEE) and Health and Medical Education Department of state government play an important in regulating its activities including professional and academic standards. It is, therefore, covered by the regime of RTI Act and can be called a Public Authority.
In its judgement the commission has also mentioned the facts submitted by petitioner Sardar Balvinder Singh,
RTI Activist, where in he has stated that the land on which the said institution stands constructed  has been leased  to the ASCOMS at a very nominal rate of Rs 5000, (five thousand per kanal )and Rs. 50 per Kanal rent annually against the then market value which was ten time higher than the leased rate. 
The State Information Commission has directed the Director/Principal of ASCOMS to designate Public Information Officer, PIO and First Appellate Authority at the earliest under section 5 of the Jammu and Kashmir
Right to Information Act 2009 and also to comply with the mandate of section 4 of the RTI Act by 30th of April/2013. And also directed the respondent to provide the Information sought by the information seeker within one month of the pronouncement of this order of the commission.
The commission has also directed the ASCOMS to allow to inspect the records in case the information sought by the applicants is voluminous in nature and be provided copies of documents required by them if any on payment of fees as prescribed in JK RTI Rules 2012.

http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2013/Mar/2/sic-declares-ascoms-public-authority-42.asp

published in Greater Kashmir, Kashmir Times, Daily Excelsior, JK Newspoint, Northlines, Glimpse of Future and many other newspapers on 2/March/2013

RTI Activists demand adequate staff for SIC, Inclusion of Act in Curriculum

Newspoint Bureau, Jammu Tawi, February 27: 
In a joint statement issued by Sangarsh RTI Movement and JK RTI Movement, the activists of both the organization have urged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to ensure adequate staff to the Jammu and Kashmir State Information Commission (RTI Apex body) they have stated that due to lack of manpower the commission is not able to perform its functions and duties properly as required under the act and ultimately the innocent information seekers suffer.
Though in this regard
the State Information Commission have repeatedly urged the state government for providing adequate number of legal experts, ministerial staff and other necessary members but the government gave a deaf ear to the genuine demands of the commission.

Jammu and Kashmir State Information Commission, Jammu.

The Chief Minister has also been requested to issue necessary directions to all the ministries and Officers for strict compliance of all the provisions of the J & K RTI Act 2009 and also to honour the direction and orders of the Information Commissioners in true letter and spirit. The activists have alleged that at present many officers do not comply with the orders and direction of the State Information Commission.
The activists have also reminded the state government about its promise made on the floor of the State Assembly in budget session of 2010 where it had been assured that State government would ensure inclusion of RTI Act in the Academic Curriculum at School and University level but that promise has not been fulfilled yet. This joint statement is being issued by Sardar Balvinder Singh, Convener Sangarsh RTI Movement, Dr. Shiekh Ghulam Rasool, Convener, JK RTI Movement, RTI Activist Raman Sharma, Deepak Sharma, Advocate Dewaker Sharma, Vilakshan Singh, Advocate, Jammu and Kashmir High Court and Social activist S. Harasis Singh Kranti.
http://www.jknewspoint.com/newsdet.aspx?q=8835
published in JK Newspoint, Northline, Kashmir Times and others. on 28/Feb/2013