RTI reveals discrimination with widows of J&K

Newspoint Bureau

Jammu Tawi, September 21 Expressing the plight of the widow and old age pensioners in the state of Jammu and Kashmir an RTI reply has shockingly revealed that the social welfare pension to the widows, old age people has been increased by a meager amount of Rs. 25, twenty five in last 15 years whereas the salaries of the State MLAS's, are hiked by more  than 500 times during the same period of time. While sharing the details of his RTI reply, Balvinder Singh, Convener Sangarsh RTI Movement said that he has  filed two different RTI applications to know about the hike in widow pension and the simultaneously to know about the hike in the salaries of the state MLA's during the last 15 years. Expressing displeasure Balvinder said that on one hand the government pats its shoulders to ban the evil practice  of Sati in the country whereas at the same time it is ashamed to admit that the condition of the widows in the  state of Jammu and Kashmir has turned bad to worse with time. Even today the most of the widows of the state are abundant from their houses, they have no places to go and unable to maintain themselves and the paltry amount these unfortunates receive from the state government as the widow pension is nothing short of a  cruel joke which the state government making of these widows and moreover this meager amount which is the  only source of income is often irregular. RTI reveals that the monthly salaries of the MLA's and MLC's in Jammu and Kashmir was Rs. 17000 in 2002, Rs. 40,000 in 2006 and raised more than double in 2009 and it reached 85,000 and which is continuing. Whereas the pension a widow, divorcee and old age people receives from the state social welfare department as on date is just Rs. 200 per month which was last revised in 2003 only when the monthly pension was Rs. 175 only. In these last ten years from 2003 to till date the pension has not been revised even after  the rising graph of inflation, the political class of the state has remained totally insensitive to the miseries  of the poor and helpless.

JKNEWSPOINT: 22/09/2013:  http://www.jknewspoint.com/newsdet.aspx?q=22187

-------------------------------------------------

In 13 years, legislators’ salary increased by 400%, destitute pension by Rs 25

By Reader Correspondent

Published: Sun, 22 September 2013 12:38 AM

JAMMU: In last 13 years, successive governments in Jammu and Kashmir increased the pension to widows and elderly by Rs 25 while the legislators’ salary witnessed 400 per cent increase, an RTI reply has revealed.
“The monthly salaries of MLAs and MLCs in J&K was Rs 17,000 in 2002, Rs 40,000 in 2006, and Rs 85,000 in 2009.  The monthly pension received by a widow, a divorcee, or an old age person from the state’s Social Welfare Department as on date is just Rs 200 while as they received Rs 175 per month in 2003,” revealed the government’s reply to an RTI by Balvinder Singh, convener of the Sangarsh RTI Movement.
Balvinder said the condition of widows in the state of has only turned from bad to worse.
“Even today most of the widows of the state are abandoned from their houses, they have no places to go and are unable to maintain themselves. The paltry amount paid to them by the government is nothing short of a cruel joke. Even this amount is not paid to them regularly,” he said.
“In these last 13 years, the government did not revise the pension even after the rising graph of inflation. The political class of the state has remained totally insensitive to the miseries of the poor and helpless,” he added.  

 

KASHMIR READER: 22/09/2013: http://www.kashmirreader.com/09222013-ND-in-13-years-legislators%E2%80%99-salary-increased-by-400-destitute-pension-by-rs-25-21035.aspx

SAMPLE RTI APPLICATION FOR JKPSC- KAS Exam

Application under Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act 2009.   

   To

    Public Information Officer,                                                  

  The Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission

  Resham Ghar Colony, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu.

  .

Respected Sir,  

Kindly provide me following Information as per the mandate of Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009.       I am   an eligible person to receive RTI information as I am a permanent resident of   J and K State. The requisite fee of Rs. 10/- is also annexed with this application as   Indian Postal Order  I.P.O vide no  _______________________.  

Note: I have appeared in the KAS(Prelim) 2017 Exams & My Enrollment no.             is_____________________

INFORMATION SOUGHT

1.              Kindly provide me information about the total marks obtained by me in the said exam result. 2.           Also intimate me the detail of my serial number in  merit list.   3.           As per section 2 of the J & K RTI Act 2009, I would also like to inspect/see my answer script/          sheet of the said exam. 4.            A certified copy of the said answer script/ sheet may also be provided me.

    

   DATED :     /           /2017                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                APPLICANT’s SINGNATURE

                                                                                                                                NAME 
                                                                                                               Address of the applicant  & Contact number:

                                                                                                                                                                      

   

Sangarsh Organizes RTI Awareness Program at Udhampur

Citiens should excercise their 'Right to Know' as a Duty: Activist

Jammu, 15/Oct/2013: To sensitize the District officers, to aware Panchayat members and civil society members, a one day RTI workshop is organized here at DC Office Complex Udhampur. The program is being organized by Sangarsh RTI Movement in association with Common Wealth Human Rights Initiative, CHRI New Delhi in collaboration District Administration Udhampur. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Vikas Sharma formally inaugurated the program with lightening the traditional lamp and Nagendra Jamwal, ACR read out the welcome address.  Members of the Sangarsh RTI Movement including its convener Balvinder Singh while appreciating the district administration thanked and congratulated them for facilitating the RTI Workshop and said such training cum awareness workshop would help to build a bonhomie between government functionaries and the citizens. Balvinder urged the participating panchayat members to exercise their right to information in larger public interest, he also stressed on proper implementation of section 4 of the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009 which calls for pro-active disclosure.
Whereas RTI Activist Raman Sharma through Power Point Presentation gave technical knowledge about the various sections of the act and rule. He said though as per law it is right conferred on every citizen to seek information from the government but the citizens should use this transparency law as a duty to ask information related to developmental works to make the administration prompt, active and accountable. Senior officers of the DC office were also present on this occasion including RK Bharti, P.O DRDA, Harasis Singh, Social Activist, CMO Udhampur, Neelam Sharma, G.M DIC, Sapna Kotwal, Tehsildaar Udhampur and all the Block Development Officers in district Udhampur and others.

 

 

 

 

 

RTI REVEALS WOMEN CONSTITUTE ONLY 3.42 PERCENT IN JK POLICE

Women constitute only 3.42 pc in JKP

Discrimination with women: RTI activist

KT NEWS SERVICE

JAMMU, Sep 6: Women in Jammu and Kashmir constitute only 3.42 percent of total strength of the State police  despite rising graph of crime against and involving women. However, as compared to national level representation of females (5.33 percent) in the Police department, the record of the state police is quite apathetic. In reply to an RTI application of RTI activist Raman Sharma, the police Headquarter revealed that during last ten  year only 973 females were included in Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) whereas the total number of appointments was more than 27,832.  In his RTI plea dated July 18, Raman had asked the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the police department to divulge information related to representation of women on different posts of the police department. Uttam Chand, IPS (AIG CIV), Public Information Officer for the Police Headquarters’ vide in his letter no. PHQ/RTI/113/2013/805 dated August 20 informed the applicant that total strength of the J&K Police as on date is 73363 and the number of female police personnel is 2512. There are only 36 female police personnel presently serving on gazetted posts (Deputy SP and above), 154 on Non-Gazetted Posts (ASI to Inspector).  Out of 2512 total strength of female cops, 2066 are enrolled as constabulary (Constable to Head Constable)  and 256 ladies are on class 4th posts, 48 other female police personnel serving on other posts like clerk/nurse/teacher and others. The reply also states that even in the temporary posts the women are not given any preference and out  of total 24730 Special Police officers (SPOs) working in the state police the percentage of female cops is just 829 which is also less than 4 percent of the total temporary staff in the department. Commenting on the reply, Raman said, “It is unfortunate that though the crime against women is increasing day by day but here in our state we are not giving them due representation in the police services which is nothing short of injustice to half of the population.” Referring to other states of the country, Raman said Maharashtra has almost 15 percent women cops, Chandigarh 13.48 percent, Tamil Nadu 10.57 percent and Delhi 7.13 percent policewomen then why Jammu and Kashmir was  ignoring them despite the fact that even the literacy rate amongst state women was over 58 percent. He demanded special recruitment drive in police department for women to bridge the gap between male and females. KASHMIR TIMES: 07/09/2013 http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=22371 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.42% women in J&K Police against 5.33% at the national level Tribune News Service Jammu, September 8 Only 973 women were recruited on various posts in the Jammu and Kashmir Police in the last 10 years. The state police has a total strength of over 73,000 personnel. This was revealed  by the Police Headquarters, J&K, in response to an application filed by a Jammu-based activist,  Raman Sharma, under the J&K Right to Information Act, 2009. Surprisingly, women constitute only 3.42 per cent of the total strength of the state police despite crime against women having shown an upward trend in the state. At the national level, the representation of women in the Police Department is 5.33 per cent. “The total number of police personnel, both men and women, recruited in the J&K Police on   different posts during the last 10 years (from January 1, 2003, to August 11, 2013) except  Special Police Officers (SPOs) was 27,832 comprising 973 women,” Uttam Chand, public information officer, Police Headquarters, J&K, Srinagar, said in a reply. The activist had sought details from the Police Department regarding representation of women on different posts in the Police Department. “The total number of women police personnel serving in the J&K Police is 2,512, including 36 gazetted officers (from the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and above), 154 on non-gazetted posts (Assistant Sub-Inspector to Inspector),” the public information officer said. Of the total number of women police personnel, 2,066 were serving in constabulary viz  constable and head constable, while 256 women were on the Class IV category posts, he said, adding that only 48 women police personnel were serving on posts such as clerk,  nurse, teachers and others. The reply also stated that even in temporary posts, the women were not given any preference. Of the total 24,730 SPOs working in the police, the number of women was 829. Reacting to the Police Department’s response, the activist alleged it was clear discrimination against women vis-à-vis appointment in police services. “It is unfortunate that though the crime against women is increasing day by day, the Jammu  and Kashmir Government is not giving due representation to women in police services,” Sharma said. He claimed there were almost 15 per cent women police personnel in Maharashtra while the Chandigarh police had 13.48 per cent women police personnel. “Similarly, Tamil Nadu has  10.57 per cent and Delhi has 7.13 per cent. There is need for a special recruitment drive in the Police Department for women to bridge the gap between men and women,”  the activist said. TRIBUNE INDIA http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130909/j&k.htm#7

RTI REVEALS 3 JK CITIZENS STILL MISSING IN UTTARAKHAND

RTI reveals 3 JK-Citizens still missing

After 3 Months of Uttarakhand Tragedy

9/18/2013 3:21:06 AM

NL Correspondent  Jammu, Sept. 17: The Jammu and Kashmir State Government has informed that still 3 of its citizens are missing at Uttarakhand.  This information has been provided by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to activist Raman Sharma, in response to his Right to Information plea seeking details from the state home department about the number of J and K People killed or missing in Uttarakhand natural disaster that claimed lives of thousands of people in June-2013.  Public Information Officer of Zonal Police Headquarters, Jammu (ZPHQ-J) vide his office letter no. RTI/ZPHQ/42/2013/24286-87 dated 07/Sept/2013 has apprised the Information Seeker that three persons namely Sham Lal Gupta S/o Hakumat Rai (62), Neelam Gupta w/o Sham Lal Gupta (60) both residents of Sarwal Colony Jammu and Ramesh Gupta(62) S/o Des Raj who is resident of Kashmiri Mohalla Akhnoor, Jammu are still missing at Uttarakhand and report in this connection has been reported at Police Station Dehradun and search of all the 3 missing person is still going on.  The reply also mentions the name of Late Bhim Singh S/o Late Padhu Singh of Hiranagar in Kathua, an Inspector in ITBP who sacrificed his life during the rescue operations on 25/06/2013. It also states that except Jammu and Kathua districts, no person from other district of the state is missing or died there in Uttarakhand. On the question of ex-gratia being offered to the families of the victims, it has been replied that an amount of Rs. One Lac has been given by the Deputy Commissioner , Kathua to the NoKs of the deceased Inspector. However, the information served by the police department has skipped the direct reply where the applicant has asked about the steps being taken out by the J & K government to trace out its citizen and the detail about the total number of officers from Jammu and Kashmir State that are being sent there to Uttarakahand to find out the missing JK People. Reacting over the RTI reply served by the state government, the activist Raman Sharma said the government should have had itself made pro-active disclosure about its initiative to find out the missing people of the state and help offered to the families of the victims. He said the government needs to be more sensitive to the miseries of the affected families, besides demanding monetary relief for the next kin of the victims, he also urged the state government to establish a coordination cell there at Uttarakhand to find further details about the missing persons.   NORTHLINES....19/09/2013 http://www.northlines.in/newsdet.aspx?q=71177 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     3 from state missing in Uttarakhand Tribune News Service Jammu, September 17 The state government has informed that three of residents of the state were still missing in Uttarakhand. The information was provided by the police to activist Raman Sharma, in response to his application under the Right to Information Act seeking details from the state Home Department about the number of people from the state killed or missing in the Uttarakhand disaster that claimed lives of thousands in June last. The Public Information Officer of Zonal Police Headquarters, Jammu has informed that Sham Lal Gupta (62), his wife Neelam Gupta (60) both residents of Sarwal Colony, Jammu, and Ramesh Gupta (62), a resident of Kashmiri Mohalla Akhnoor, Jammu, is missing. A report in this connection has been lodged at Dehradun police station and the search of all the three missing persons is on. The reply also mentions the name of Late Bhim Singh of Hiranagar in Kathua, an Inspector in the ITBP who sacrificed his life during the rescue operations on June 25 last. On the ex-gratia relief, the government has replied that Rs 1 lakh has been given by the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, to the family of the deceased. However, the information provided by the police has skipped a reply about the steps being taken by the state government to trace its residents and the detail about the total number of officers from the state that are being sent there to Uttarakhand to find out the missing persons. Activist Raman Sharma said the government should have had made pro-active disclosure about its initiatives to find out the missing persons from the state. He also urged the state government to establish a coordination cell in Uttarakhand to find further details about the missing persons. TRIBUNE INDIA, 18/09/2013 http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130918/jmtrib.htm#7