Governor’s Secretariat slams its PIO for ‘ Vague ’ Order

Raj Bhavan  insists on explicit RTI Reply

Jammu, 20/June/2013: Slamming its own PIO, Public Information   Officer, the Jammu and Kashmir Raj Bhavan (Governor's Secretariat) has set aside the order of the PIO dated 12/March/2013 where the PIO has denied  information to the applicant, RTI activist Raman Sharma citing 'privilege'.

Navin K Chouhan,  Principal Secretary to Governor who is also  first appellate authority under  RTI Act has  not only set aside the order of the PIO/Deputy Secretary but has also termed the order as 'Vague'. Principal Secretary in his order no. 01/2013 dated 13/o6/2013 has stated 'As the PIO's order suffer from the defect of vagueness, his order dated march/12/2013 is set aside. The appeal order also states that the PIO's order should specific clause (s) of sub section 1 of section 8 of the RTI Act under which the appellant has been denied information and also explain how the information sought by the appellant falls within the  four corners of that specific provision(s).  The PIO's order should also specifically consider whether all the information sought by the appellant is exempted or only a part thereof is exempted from disclosure. If the information or a part thereof is not available or for any other reason cannot be provided the same should be explicitly spelt out in the reply to the appellant.  In the same order it has also been directed to the PIO to consider the appellant's request for information afresh in the light of the issues raised in the appeal order strictly as per the provisions of the RTI act and rules and make available revised consideration within a period of two weeks.

Giving brief about his appeal and RTI Plea Raman Sharma informed that he filed RTI application on 06/Feb/2013 to the PIO of the Raj Bhavan, seeking information about the total number of Individual/delegations who visited and met Honourable Governor during the period 01/Jan/2010 to Feb/2013 in  Jammu/Srinagar along with total number of memorandum/representations received by Rajbhavn or Honourable Governor in person during   the   same period.  His plea also wanted to know the procedure to seek appointment of meeting with Honourable Governor and procedure adopted to allow appointments. While expressing his gratitude to the First Appellate Authority of the Governor's Secretariat, the applicant has said transparency ensures bonhomie between the public institutions and citizens which is an essential ingredient   of democracy. 

http://m.risingkashmir.in/news/governor%E2%80%99s-secretariat-slams-its-pio-for-%E2%80%98vague%E2%80%99-order-49609.aspx 

Published in Rising Kashmir, Journey Line, JK Newspoint, JK Monitor and others.