Detail of RTI Information related to excavation and digging done by the ASI on a 19th century fort in
Village Daundia Kheda, Unnao in Uttar Pradesh which was started in
October-2013.
Finally after a wait of around 3 months i got it.....
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Asked Information pertains to excavation and digging done by the ASI on a 19th century fort in Village Daundia Kheda, Unnao in Uttar Pradesh which was started in October-2013.]
Raman Sharma is a dedicated Jammu based RTI activist and journalist . With a focus on transparency and accountability, with his writing he has contributed for various credible newspapers and magazines in the region. He is amongst the first few batches who completed Certificate Course in RTI from the Centre for Good Governance in Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Government of India.
Sharma is actively involved in education and advocacy, having delivered guest lectures on RTI , Good Governance at different universities and educational institutions to empower students. Additionally, in collaboration with the JK Institute of Management and Public Administration (JK IMPA), he has also remained resource person in training programs for District Officers, Public Information Officers, Ministerial staff of different departments, promoting awareness and effective implementation of RTI/PSGA . In association with the CHRI he also remained instrumental in training for civil society members on the Transparency Law.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
RTI : Govt Denies Info about Restoration of Bahu Fort Wall
RTI Plea gathers Dust in Culture Ministry
Govt Denies Info about Restoration of Bahu Fort Wall
Jammu, 20/Jan/2014: The state government’s ministry of culture is shying away from providing information under RTI Act with regard to repair and restoration of a portion of wall of historic Bahu Fort of Jammu that was collapsed due to incessant rain on intervening night between 16 and 17 August last year.
An RTI application was filed with the General Administration Department (GAD) on 16/Nov/2013 along with the requisite fees which was further transferred by GAD to the ministry of Culture (J & K Govt) within 5 days with a direction to provide the asked information but despite over a long delay of over 2 months the culture ministry has not served any reply to the applicant Raman Sharma. Though as per the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act 2009, the information must be provided to the information seeker as expeditiously as soon as possible but not later than 30 days and in case when no response is made it is deemed as a refusal . While giving further detail about his RTI application, Raman informed that in his application he has sought information like “Whether any intimation or message was conveyed to J & K government about the condition of the said fort before the collapse of the said wall. If yes please provide copy of the same and the details of steps being taken by the J & K government on that” and name of the agency department that is monitoring the restoration work, name and particulars of any consultant agency whose proficiency is sought by the government and also about the amount sanctioned for restoration and copy of the tender documents etc. The information seekers said that the asked information was totally general in nature but deliberately the state government is denying it because they don’t believe in transparency and must be hiding facts from the people of Jammu to conceal its failure and criminal negligence, he also alleged that firstly the state government allowed this historic fort to collapse and now taking so much time even to start the restoration work . It is pertinent to mention here that after the collapse of a portion this historic Bahu fort , the state government was under severe criticism from social and political organizations and then to pacify the people the state government and its minister promised to complete the restoration work at an earliest .
-------------------------------------------------------
APPLICATION UNDER JAMMU AND KASHMIR RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT 2009.
To
The Public Information Officer,
General
Administration Department, Govt of J & K.
Civil
Secretariat, Jammu. 180001.
Respected
Sir,
Provide
me following details & Information under the provisions of Jammu
&Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009. I am a permanent resident the State . An RTI fee of Rs. 10/- is also annexed with this application as
I.P.O vide no 08F 874922
INFORMATION SOUGHT
[ pertains to
collapsed wall of historic Bahu Fort at
district Jammu ]
|
1. Kindly
provide the detail like name and particulars of the
agency/department/ministry that is monitoring
the supervision of restoration work of the said collapsed wall of the
historic Bahu Fort.
2.
Kindly
provide me the copy of the estimate report if any prepared till date for the
restoration of the above
said collapsed wall.
3.
Total
amount of money released so far for construction of the above said collapsed
wall.
4.
Total
amount of money released so far for construction of the above said collapsed
wall.
5.
Also
provide a copy of the work tender if any floated for restoration of the said
wall.
6.
As on date
as per official record the restoration work is being started yet or not.
7.
On what
date the restoration work shall be started.
8.
Also
intimate the detail i.e the kind of construction material that would be used
for the restoration of the
above said wall.
9.
Name the
consultant or any consultant agency whose consultation has been sough to
start the restoration work
of the collapsed wall.
10.
Whether
any intimation or message was conveyed to J & K government about the
condition of the said fort
before the collapse of the said wall. If yes please provide copy of the same and the details of steps being
taken by the J & K government on that.
|
Dated:
16/Nov/2013 Applicant
RAMAN
SHARMA.
Address: XXXXX , JAMMU 180001, Mob: 9796811012,
e.mail: JKRTIACT@GMAIL.COM.
Kind Attention:
The Learned officer i.e Public Information officer is requested to timely
dispose of this RTI request as per the provisions of the Right to information
Act which clearly calls for promotion of transparency. To the best knowledge of
the applicant, the points of information sought in this application are not
covered under any exemption clause more specifically in section 8 of J & K RTI Act 2009. So it is hoped that
all the information shall be provided within stipulated period of time.
----------------------------
 |
| Historic Bahu Fort turned into Debris; Courtesy criminal negligence of JK Government |
 |
| Before Collapse : Historic Bahu Fort of Jammu, Witness of Jammu's History --------------- published in : Kashmir Times , Early Times, JK Newspoint, Rising Kashmir, State Times and many other dailies of Jammu on 21/Jan/2014 http://www.statetimes.in/news/govt-denies-info-restoration-bahu-fort-wall/ http://www.risingkashmir.com/govt-denies-info-about-restoration-of-bahu-fort-wall/ |
Raman Sharma is a dedicated Jammu based RTI activist and journalist . With a focus on transparency and accountability, with his writing he has contributed for various credible newspapers and magazines in the region. He is amongst the first few batches who completed Certificate Course in RTI from the Centre for Good Governance in Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Government of India.
Sharma is actively involved in education and advocacy, having delivered guest lectures on RTI , Good Governance at different universities and educational institutions to empower students. Additionally, in collaboration with the JK Institute of Management and Public Administration (JK IMPA), he has also remained resource person in training programs for District Officers, Public Information Officers, Ministerial staff of different departments, promoting awareness and effective implementation of RTI/PSGA . In association with the CHRI he also remained instrumental in training for civil society members on the Transparency Law.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Jmu City, Only 79 Three Wheelers Penalised In three months
Non Functional Fare Meters
Only 79 Three Wheelers Penalised In
three months
Fare
fixed by Transport department is RS. 16 for
first kilometre and Rs. 12 for
subsequent kilometres
|
Jammu,
11/Jan/2013: While submitting his reply after a written complaint by RTI
activist Raman Sharma alleging that due to criminal negligence of RTO office,
Jammu and with the help of some corrupt elements in JK traffic police the
process of installation of meters in the auto rickshaws and three wheelers is
yet not completed; the Regional
Transport Officer, RTO Jammu has apprised the Chief Minister’s Secretariat that
79 Auto Rivckshaws/three wheelers have been challaned in the last three month for non operation of
fare meters and also for not charging as per fare meters. Earlier in his
complaint dated 09/11/2013 to the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell (44243) Raman
has submitted that the innocent citizens
hiring the services of these autos and rickshaws are forced to pay excessive
amount to these auto rickshaw and three wheeler drivers without any check. He
has further alleged that neither any offices of the RTO office Jammu nor any
Traffic police person or even the executive police which are also authorised to
take a view of traffic regulations take any note of this mafia raj of the auto
rickshaw and three wheeler driver and they are looting the innocent
people. RTO Jammu in counter reply addressed to the CM Secretariat has stated
that the transport department is making
constant checking of Auto Rickshaws and three wheelers plying in the city. In
the past three months 79 Auto Rickshaws three wheelers have been challaned for
various traffic offences under Motor Vehicles Act including non-operation of
the fare meters. In its report the RTO has also confessed that Auto rickshaws
are installed fare meters but all auto rickshaws three wheelers are not
charging fare as per fare meters. Though RTO Office has also submitted that during
checking they ensure that fare charged as per the rates fixed by the department
viz. RS.16 for first kilometre and Rs. 12 for subsequent kilometres is prominently displayed inside
Auto rickshaws for the convenience of the passengers. The report further
states. While criticizing the Transport Authorities for penalising only 79
three wheelers for non-installation of fare meters in three month, Raman Sharma
the complainant said that even less than one auto per day is fined for looting
the commuters, this is nothing short of an eyewash to hide the incompetence of
the responsible officers.
Published in JK Newspoint, Greater Kashmir on 12/Jan/2013
Raman Sharma is a dedicated Jammu based RTI activist and journalist . With a focus on transparency and accountability, with his writing he has contributed for various credible newspapers and magazines in the region. He is amongst the first few batches who completed Certificate Course in RTI from the Centre for Good Governance in Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Government of India.
Sharma is actively involved in education and advocacy, having delivered guest lectures on RTI , Good Governance at different universities and educational institutions to empower students. Additionally, in collaboration with the JK Institute of Management and Public Administration (JK IMPA), he has also remained resource person in training programs for District Officers, Public Information Officers, Ministerial staff of different departments, promoting awareness and effective implementation of RTI/PSGA . In association with the CHRI he also remained instrumental in training for civil society members on the Transparency Law.
Raman Sharma Interview in Dainik Jagran 02/Oct/2013
Raman Sharma Interview in Dainik Jagran-02/Oct/2013, Special Edition, Josh
Raman Sharma is a dedicated Jammu based RTI activist and journalist . With a focus on transparency and accountability, with his writing he has contributed for various credible newspapers and magazines in the region. He is amongst the first few batches who completed Certificate Course in RTI from the Centre for Good Governance in Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Government of India.
Sharma is actively involved in education and advocacy, having delivered guest lectures on RTI , Good Governance at different universities and educational institutions to empower students. Additionally, in collaboration with the JK Institute of Management and Public Administration (JK IMPA), he has also remained resource person in training programs for District Officers, Public Information Officers, Ministerial staff of different departments, promoting awareness and effective implementation of RTI/PSGA . In association with the CHRI he also remained instrumental in training for civil society members on the Transparency Law.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
“Sangarsh RTI” Activists Call on Governor
“Sangarsh RTI” Activists Call on Governor
JAMMU, JANUARY 8: A delegation of “Sangarsh RTI”, comprising of Mr. Balvinder Singh, Mr. Raman Sharma, Mr. Dewakar Sharma, Mr.Deepak Sharma, and Mr. Harasis Singh called on Mr. N.N. Vohra, the Governor here at Raj Bhavan today.
The delegation apprised the Governor about the experiences of the RTI activists in the State and their assessment about the effectiveness of the Right To Information Act-2009 to provide the demanded information to the applicants. The activists also pointed out specific important cases which were exposed consequent to initiatives taken by their organization.
The delegation also briefed the Governor about the steps taken by their organization to generate awareness in the society about the usefulness of the RTI Act and the serious difficulties faced by the whistle blowers in the State, including serious threats to their lives.
The Governor suggested to the RTI activists to publicize their success stories so that the anti-corruption movement could spread and be strengthened. While welcoming the delegation’s suggestion to involve Universities, colleges and other educational institutions in organizing workshops, seminars to disseminate the importance of RTI Act, the Governor stressed the importance of guarding against abuse of the provisions of the RTI Act.
The Governor was presented a User Guide on the “Right To Information Act-2009” by the delegation. The Governor suggested that this Guide could be published in vernacular languages in order to extend its reach and make it accessible to non- English knowing persons.
.jpg) | ||||||
| Honourable Governor NN Vohra in meet with RTI Activists at Raj Bhavan, Jammu. Text of of Memorandum submitted to Governor.
To
The Honourable Governor,
Jammu and Kashmir State,
Jammu.
Subject: Memorandum Carrying
Demands/Suggestions for Strengthening
Right to Information Act in Jammu and
Kashmir State.
Respected Sir,
We the
following RTI Activists and members of the Sangarsh RTI Movement in JK wish to
submit the following important points to your kind notice and intervention to
strengthen Right to Information Act in J & K State to bring accountability
and transparency in the governance and administrative set up. The details are
as follow:
As your good self is well aware that state
government vide SRO no 279 dated 30/Aug/2012 have amended the RTI Rules without
any public consultation and even without seeking any recommendation from the
State Information Commission, this amendment has obviously curtailed the powers
of the State Information and ultimately affected the law. RTI Activist of the
state and even the former Chief Information Commissioner of India Mr. Wajahat Habibullah
had opposed these amendment and have urged the government to review its order. The
State government be directed to restore the earlier rules i.e. Jammu and
Kashmir Rules 2010.
There are number of instances where the
information seekers have been pressurised and harassed by different Authorities
for seeking information under RTI Act, a number of RTI activist here in our
state have also received Life threats. So there is an urgent need to set up
such a mechanism so that the information seekers/citizens can seek information
under the RTI Act without any fear and bring important issues and unmask
corrupt practices in the administration and in different public departments.
As per section 23 of J & K RTI Act 2009, it
is legal duty of the State government to develop and organize educational
programs for the awareness of the act for general public and training programs
for the Public Information Officers but so far the state government has
conducted no awareness program for the public, though the state government has
started training programs for the officers. The
government must comply the provisions of the act involving stake holders
to organize mass awareness programs at Block and Panchayat Level.
As per section 4 of Jammu and Kashmir Right to
information Act, 2009 certain kind of information needs to be proactively
disclosed by all the public authorities but unfortunately only a few Public
Authorities have been able to publish such information on their official
website or on notice boards, even today after more than 4 years since enactment
of the act this important provision of the act has not been adhered by the government
departments. All the heads of the departments be asked to strictly follow this
provision of the law and public the relevant information at an earliest.
There is deficiency of assisting staff at Jammu
and Kashmir State Information Commission which is the apex body for dealing
with matters related to RTI Act. Without adequate staff, the smooth functioning
of the commission gets affected. The General Administration department may be
directed to provide the required staff to commission at an earliest.
The State Information Commission may also be
directed to hold regular meetings with the members of the civil society and the
RTI volunteers so that the stake holders can apprise the commission about their
grievances for appropriate directions. As of now the SIC has not made any such
mechanism for interaction with the stake holders.
The state Information commission may also be
asked to strictly decide the cases as per the mandate of law irrespective any
officers’ rank and file, without any fear and favour. The commission may also
be directed to set up a mechanism so that on camera proceedings of the cases are
held for larger transparency and to build confidence of the citizens on this
institution.
There is no special assisting staff provided to
the Public Information Officers/ Assistant Public Information Officers and
appellate authorities to provide information to the information seekers, even
there is no budgetary provision for the implementation of the RTI Act. The PIO’s also complaint that they have no establish infrastructure in
their respective offices for smooth performance of their duty. The state
government may be asked to make budgetary provision for proper implementation
of the act, all the PIO’s may be provided at least one exclusive
clerk/assistant for disposal of RTI applications. The PIO’s who do not have any
computer may kindly be provided the same without any delay.
The
state information and Publicity department may kindly be asked to give wide
publicity (in local languages through newspapers/TV/Radio ) to the important
provisions of the act to encourage the
general masses to exercise their right.
All
The universities of the state may kindly be roped in to enhance the scope of
training and awareness of this transparency law. The universities at their own
level and also with the help of government and private colleges be asked to
organize regular state level, inter college/ district level awareness
programs/seminars/ symposiums / debates.
Our Organization Sangarsh RTI Movement Shall be pleased to provide all kind of
assistance to the Universities and College for this noble cause.
We are
hopeful that our submission would be considered by your good self. Thanks in
anticipation !
Dated: 08/Jan/2013 Yours
Faithfully,
|
Raman Sharma is a dedicated Jammu based RTI activist and journalist . With a focus on transparency and accountability, with his writing he has contributed for various credible newspapers and magazines in the region. He is amongst the first few batches who completed Certificate Course in RTI from the Centre for Good Governance in Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Government of India.
Sharma is actively involved in education and advocacy, having delivered guest lectures on RTI , Good Governance at different universities and educational institutions to empower students. Additionally, in collaboration with the JK Institute of Management and Public Administration (JK IMPA), he has also remained resource person in training programs for District Officers, Public Information Officers, Ministerial staff of different departments, promoting awareness and effective implementation of RTI/PSGA . In association with the CHRI he also remained instrumental in training for civil society members on the Transparency Law.
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