Right to Information Act, सूचना का अधिकार अधिनियम, جاننے کا حق: May 2015

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Restrict Sale of Maggi in School, Hospital Canteens till Declared 'Safe to Eat' : RTI Activist

Till Declared ‘ Safe to Eat ’ ; Ban Maggi in School, Hospital Canteens: RTI Activist

Jammu, 31/May/2015: Demanding a ban on sale of ‘ Maggi’ in School and Hospital Canteens today a request has been made to Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed by Raman Sharma an RTI Activist.

In his petition ( ref. no 54842 ) to the Chief Minister through Grievance Cell, Sharma has submitted “I am worried about the news report appearing in national media about the presence of MSG, Monosodium Glumate and Lead in ‘ Maggi ’ a sort of noodles that are quite famous in the country and obviously in Jammu and Kashmir also”.

In addition the activist also highlighted casual approach of the State Food Authorities in dealing with this issue, he has stated that this product (Maggi) is available in all hotel, restaurants, Education Institutions’ Canteens in Jammu, Kashmir and even parts of Ladakh but till date we have not heard that the authorities belonging to J & K Drug & Food Control Organization taking samples from anywhere to confirm whether this product is safe to eat for citizens especially the minor children.

In the petition it has been further demanded that J & K Drug & Food Control Organization be directed to immediately pick samples randomly and get them tested from reputed laboratories to confirm the presence of MSG, Monosodium Glumate and Lead in this product and till final result and expert report of the samples, the product be banned in Hotel, Restaurants, School, College and Hospital Canteens.

It is pertinent to mention here that situation is more serious here because millions of tourists and pilgrims visiting all the three regions of the state and they also prefer this instant noodle for being economical and easily available. The activists has also urged that if the official results confirm this product fit to be consumed by human being then the ban be revoked immediately so that people associated with its sales and marketing do not get affected.

Published in Greater Kashmir, Kashmir Times, JK Newspoint, Early Times, State Times, Journey Line and other newspapers and newsportals.

http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/jammu/story/187909.html

Raman Sharma

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.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Rajouri Health Department : 91 Posts Advertised, 93 Candidates Selected

This can happen only in JK: 91 posts advertised, 93 candidates selected

Akshay Azad

Early Times Report

Jammu, May 14: The District Health Society (DHS) Rajouri has created a record of sorts to address the shortage of manpower in various health institutions. Recently, the DHS advertised 91 posts of Female Multi Purpose Health Worker (FMPHW) but 93 candidates were selected, creating doubt over the entire selection process. According to the documents in possession of Early Times, on March 10 the DHS had invited applications for filling posts in different health institutions under the National Health Mission (NHM).

The advertised posts included nine of Arsh Councilor and 91 of FMPHW (70 posts for new sub-centers and 21 for old health institutions).
On May 12, the DHS released the provisional selection list of candidates engaged under NHM Rajouri. According to the list issued by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) office Rajouri, a total of 93 FMPHWs were engaged against the 91 posts advertised.

The FMPHWs engaged included 16 in block Kalakote, 15 in Darhal, 22 in Manjakote, 7 in Sunderbani, 14 in Nowshera, 6 in Kandi. Moreover, 13 more candidates of adjoining block were also selected for filling the vacant posts in block Kandi on contractual basis under NHM Rajouri "due to non-availability of eligible candidates within the block".
Questioning the selection process, a resident of Rajouri said, "It seemed some blue-eyed candidates have been adjusted in lieu of some pecuniary benefits."

However, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Rajouri, Dr. Anees Altaf argued that in the notification issued on March 10, the item number 14 read as, "The number of posts can be increased or decreased at any time of placement process"

Early Times, 15/May/2015: http://earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=149490