Transparency is Subdued in Times of Lock down & COVID: RTI Activist

Ensure Transparency in COVID Relief Distribution & Procurements: RTI Activist

Jammu, 17/April/2020: Expressing serious concern over the casualty of Transparency and Accountability in the times of Corona Pandemic and lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, RTI activist Raman Sharma has urged the Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu to direct both the Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir Divisions to ensure transparency in distribution of relief material and procurement of different items by all departments and government agencies.

Sharma also appealed the Deputy Commissioners of all the districts to suo moto disclose the detail of all the relief material distributed to local and migrant workers and other bonafide residents of J & K,  expenditure incurred on availing different services and detail of products and purchases  on their respective websites to ensure fair distribution of relief material and accountability.

Citing the example of Indian Red Cross Society, he said  this organization is also distributing  ration and relief material but no one knows the method of their selection of beneficiaries, no criteria is fixed. Similarly no detail of relief & ration  distribution to workers   is published on the website of J & K Labour department though they also have their own dedicated website. It is pertinent to mention here that due to lock down people are not able to file RTI applications with government departments therefore the best way is to publish all the details through electronic mode.