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Discrimination with women: RTI activist
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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
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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
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Tuesday, October 22, 2013
RTI REVEALS WOMEN CONSTITUTE ONLY 3.42 PERCENT IN JK POLICE
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.
RTI REVEALS 3 JK CITIZENS STILL MISSING IN UTTARAKHAND
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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
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3 from state missing in Uttarakhand Tribune News Service
Jammu, September 17The 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 |
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, August 4, 2013
In House canteen, MPs have roti for Rs 1, dal fry for Rs 3
Govt dishes out Rs 3.27 lakh per day as subsidyAmit Khajuria/TNS
TRIBUNE
Jammu, July 28The Parliament canteen could have been the birthplace of the notion, which some Congress leaders recently voiced, that a meal could be had for Rs 5 or Rs 12. A reply to an RTI application has revealed that the Centre doles out a subsidy of Rs 3.27 lakh per day to the Parliament canteen that provides sumptuous meals to parliamentarians. This amounts to Rs 11.94 crore per year.
So don’t feel transported back in time to the early 1990s when some MP tells you about having a ‘dosa’ for Rs 4. But this rate features on the menu of the Indian Parliament canteen that is run by Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Ltd.
On May 14, Jammu-based RTI activist Raman Sharma had written to Public Information Officer (PIO), Lok Sabha Secretariat, about the rate list of eatables and the subsidy given by the government to run the canteen.
In reply, K Sona, Under-Secretary, Lok Sabha Secretariat, vide letter No. 1(588)IC/13, dated: July 3, informed that the government paid Rs 11.94 crore in financial year 2011-12 as subsidy to the IRCTC to run the canteen where a parliamentarian gets ‘shami kabab’ for Rs 14, ‘rumali roti’ (‘chapati’) for Re 1, ‘dal fry’ for Rs 3 and pizza for Rs 20.
The rate list of the canteen has only been revised thrice in 13 years. In view of the rising prices of eatables in the outside world, the subsidy has been going up constantly. In 2000-01, the subsidy to the same canteen was Rs 2 crore. The last revision to the price list was done in December 2010.
“The government talks about pruning subsidy bills. It has also put a cap on domestic LPG. But why don’t they put a cap on their own canteen subsidy?” asks Raman Sharma.
“Every bite that a parliamentarian takes in that canteen reduces ‘chapatis’ on the plate of the poor in the country,” the RTI activist said. “If they can provide eatables to parliamentarians at this rate, then shouldn’t they also run such canteens at old age homes, orphanages, for BPL category persons and in schools and colleges?”
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Parliament Immune to rising InflationRising Kashmir
• No Price Hike in House Canteen Since 2010
• Nation bears loss of Rs. 3.5 lakh each day to provide luxurious meals to MPs
• Nation bears loss of Rs. 3.5 lakh each day to provide luxurious meals to MPs
Rising Kashmir News
Jammu, July 30: In an RTI reply furnished by the Parliament of India, Lok Sabha Secretariat, it has been informed that since 2010 there has been no price hike in the rates of food items served in the
Jammu, July 30: In an RTI reply furnished by the Parliament of India, Lok Sabha Secretariat, it has been informed that since 2010 there has been no price hike in the rates of food items served in the
parliament canteen and the last revision was made 3 years ago in the year 2010 . The reply also reveals that nation continues to bear a daily loss of Rs. 331826.00 to run Parliament canteen.
In a written reply to right to information application of RTI Activist Raman Sharma, the deputy secretary of the Lok Sabha vide his office communication no. 1(588)IC/13 dated 03/07/2013 has informed the applicant that the rates of food items served in the parliament canteen were revised thrice (2003,2009 & 2010) in last 13 years and the last revision was made on 14/Dec/2010.
While furnishing reply to the query of the applicant regarding profit/loss incurred for running this canteen, the Lok Sabha Secretariat has informed that the Northern railway is providing catering facilities in the parliament house on no profit and no loss basis and the losses if any are met from the budget allocation of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha secretariats on 2:1 ratio.
The applicant has also been provided the copy of menu/rate card of food items cooked there which tells that the luxurious food items including non vegetarian food is served at a very meagre price i.e Non Veg Meals @ Rs. 33, Roomali Roti @ Re. 1, Veg Sanwich @ Rs. 3, Prantha @ Rs. 3, Dal fried @ Rs. 4, Pizza @ Rs. 20, Kheer @ Rs. 8, Idli with Samber @ Rs. 3, Chicken Sandwich @ Rs. 6, Shammi Kabab @ Rs. 14 and Fish curry @ Rs. 20 only besides many more items at the almost negligible items.
The documents also disclose that during the financial year 2000-01 loss incurred for running the house canteen was Rs. 24665411.92 which has increased with each passing year and in the year 2011-12 the total loss or subsidy claim to run the canteen was Rs. 119457441.59.
While giving his response over the RTI reply, activist Raman Sharma has said that it is unfortunate that privileged people (MP’s) are enjoying the subsidies even on the canteen expenditures whereas when it comes to the question of welfare of common people, the ministers and planning commission strongly advocates and orchestrates for cutting subsidy bills.
He questioned how it is possible that while 130 million people of the country are facing the ruthless of rising inflation with each passing day and hour then why our Parliamentarians are enjoying Shami Kababs and Kheer.
Raman Sharma argued that as per right to equality law, the same facility as available to the MP’s in the house canteen should also be extended at least to the Orphan Home, Old Age Homes, Hospitals, Schools and College Canteens.
He has also appealed to all the MPs to think of the poor people of their constituencies who might have been deprived one time meal just to provide delicious meal in the Parliament canteen and the money should be utilized for the needy.
In a written reply to right to information application of RTI Activist Raman Sharma, the deputy secretary of the Lok Sabha vide his office communication no. 1(588)IC/13 dated 03/07/2013 has informed the applicant that the rates of food items served in the parliament canteen were revised thrice (2003,2009 & 2010) in last 13 years and the last revision was made on 14/Dec/2010.
While furnishing reply to the query of the applicant regarding profit/loss incurred for running this canteen, the Lok Sabha Secretariat has informed that the Northern railway is providing catering facilities in the parliament house on no profit and no loss basis and the losses if any are met from the budget allocation of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha secretariats on 2:1 ratio.
The applicant has also been provided the copy of menu/rate card of food items cooked there which tells that the luxurious food items including non vegetarian food is served at a very meagre price i.e Non Veg Meals @ Rs. 33, Roomali Roti @ Re. 1, Veg Sanwich @ Rs. 3, Prantha @ Rs. 3, Dal fried @ Rs. 4, Pizza @ Rs. 20, Kheer @ Rs. 8, Idli with Samber @ Rs. 3, Chicken Sandwich @ Rs. 6, Shammi Kabab @ Rs. 14 and Fish curry @ Rs. 20 only besides many more items at the almost negligible items.
The documents also disclose that during the financial year 2000-01 loss incurred for running the house canteen was Rs. 24665411.92 which has increased with each passing year and in the year 2011-12 the total loss or subsidy claim to run the canteen was Rs. 119457441.59.
While giving his response over the RTI reply, activist Raman Sharma has said that it is unfortunate that privileged people (MP’s) are enjoying the subsidies even on the canteen expenditures whereas when it comes to the question of welfare of common people, the ministers and planning commission strongly advocates and orchestrates for cutting subsidy bills.
He questioned how it is possible that while 130 million people of the country are facing the ruthless of rising inflation with each passing day and hour then why our Parliamentarians are enjoying Shami Kababs and Kheer.
Raman Sharma argued that as per right to equality law, the same facility as available to the MP’s in the house canteen should also be extended at least to the Orphan Home, Old Age Homes, Hospitals, Schools and College Canteens.
He has also appealed to all the MPs to think of the poor people of their constituencies who might have been deprived one time meal just to provide delicious meal in the Parliament canteen and the money should be utilized for the needy.
http://www.risingkashmir.in/news/parliament-immune-to-rising-inflation-52422.aspx
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सांसदों को महंगाई में भी सस्ता भोजन
Wed, 31 Jul 2013, Dainik Jagran
जागरण ब्यूरो, जम्मू : ये नेता हैं। इनके लिए हर सुविधा है। जनता भले ही महंगाई की मार झेल रही है, लेकिन सफेदपोश मौज कर रहे हैं। इसका अंदाजा इससे लगाया जा सकता है कि पिछले तीन साल में महंगाई ने जनता के पसीने छुड़ा दिए, लेकिन नहीं बढ़ा तो संसद कैंटीन में खाने-पीने का दाम। तीन साल पहले की कीमत पर आज भी वहां भोजन मिल रहा है। इससे सरकार को रोज 3,31,826 रुपये का चूना लग रहा है। यह हकीकत सूचना का अधिकार के तहत मांगी गई जानकारी से सामने आई है।
वर्ष 2010 के बाद से संसद कैंटीन में खाने पीने की वस्तुओं के दाम में कोई बढ़ोतरी नहीं हुई है। आरटीआइ कार्यकर्ता रमन शर्मा ने आरटीआइ दायर की थी। इसका जवाब लोकसभा के उपसचिव ने देते हुए कहा कि पिछले 13 साल में तीन बार 2003, 2009 और 2010 में संसद कैंटीन में खाने-पीने की वस्तुओं के दाम बढ़े हैं। अंतिम बार 14 दिसंबर, 2010 को दाम बढ़ाए गए थे। रमन शर्मा ने याचिका में यह जानकारी भी मांगी थी कि कैंटीन में लाभ या नुकसान हो रहा है। जवाब में बताया गया कि उत्तरी रेलवे बिना लाभ या नुकसान के संसद कैंटीन में वस्तुएं उपलब्ध करवा रहा है। अगर कोई नुकसान होता है तो उसकी भरपाई लोकसभा और राज्यसभा के उपलब्ध बजट से 2:1 के हिस्से के हिसाब से की जाती है। प्राप्त जानकारी के अनुसार नॉन वेज मील 33 रुपये, रुमाली रोटी 1 रुपये, वेज सैंडविज 3 रुपये, परांठा 3 रुपये, दाल फ्राई 4 रुपये, पीजा 20 रुपये, खीर 8 रुपये, सांबर के साथ इडली 3 रुपये, चिकन सैंडविज 6 रुपये, शमी कबाब 14 रुपये, फिश करी 20 रुपये में उपलब्ध करवाई जाती हैं। वर्ष 2000-01 के दौरान हाउस कैंटीन का नुकसान 24665411.92 रुपये था, जो हर वर्ष बढ़ता ही जा रहा है।
वहीं, आरटीआइ कार्यकर्ता रमन शर्मा का कहना है कि सांसद तो सब्सिडी पर खाना खा रहे हैं, लेकिन आम जनता महंगाई में पिस रही है। यह बड़े अफसोस की बात है कि माननीय तो कम दामों पर खाने-पीने की वस्तुओं का आनंद ले रहे हैं और 130 मिलियन की आबादी वाले देश के लोग महंगाई में पिस रहे हैं।
http://www.jagran.com/jammu-and-kashmir/jammu-10609515.html
Dainik Jagran,
As govt cuts corners, politicians revel in subsidies
Millennium Post
2 August 2013, Srinagar, Moazum Mohammad
Parliament House canteen sells food at dirt cheap prices, even as aam aadmi is crushed by price rise.
Even as the UPA government steps up its task to shore up growth by cutting subsidies to fix the deficit, the Parliament House canteen in national Capital continues to serve subsidised food to the political class. The losses or subsidy endured by the State exchequer has jumped to over Rs 11 crore in the year 2011-2012 alone.
While aam aadmi remains overburdened with frequent price rise coupled with inflation, the Joint Parliamentary Committee hasn’t revised food prices in the canteen for about three years now. ‘The rate of items served in Parliament canteens were revised in 2003, 2009 and 2010,’ read a document issued out of Lok Sabha Secretariat in response to Right to Information Act request filed by Raman Sharma of Jammu. Since 2010, however, there has been no price rise as far as the Parliament canteens are concerned.
‘The northern railway is providing catering facility in parliament house on no profit no loss basis. The losses incurred, if any, are met from budget allocation (of) the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariats in ratio (n) 2:1 (sic), it said.
The yearly financial details provide an insight into the losses mounting with each year apparently to serve food to lawmakers at dirt cheap rates. To begin with, the year 2000-01 reported loss or subsidy claim of Rs 2 crore just to operate the canteen. Consequently, the losses mounted in the successive years doubled, with the year 2006-07 recording a loss of Rs 4 crore. Two-years later, in 2009-10, the documents reveal that the losses jumped through the roof, to the tune of Rs 10 crore, and subsequently, breaching the Rs11-crore-mark in the following year.
Considering the enormous loss, a rough arithmetic indicates that the exchequer had to suffer a beating of Rs 90 lakh per month, which, upon further calibration, meant a loss of Rs 3.5 lakh per day. Further, as the response to the RTI query spelled out, the staffs of both the houses, as well as media officials and guests of parliamentarians are also entitled to avail the canteen’s implausibly subsidised catering services.
Evidently, this lends a clear impression about the losses incurred against food products at Parliament, the highest office of democracy. A comparative analysis of rates mentioned in its menu card indicates the food products at the canteen are sold for peanuts, at rates considerably lower than regular market prices.
For example, a chicken sandwich is sold at Rs 6. ‘This disparity indicates that there are two laws: one for the political class and the other for the electorate. On one hand, fuel subsidies are scrapped and the resultant burden is conveniently put on ordinary people, while Parliament canteen serves subsidised food to ruling class. This is completely against the democratic norms,’ said Raman Sharma, who had filed the RTI.
Daily loss to Parliament canteen:Rs. 3,31,826
Asian Age
The government bears a daily loss of `3,31,826 to run the Parliament canteen as there has been no price hike of the food served since 2010.
In an RTI reply furnished to J&K-based activist Raman Sharma by the LS Secretariat, it has been informed that the last revision of the rates of food items served in the Parliament canteen was made three years ago. The deputy secretary of the LS vide his office communication no. 1(588)IC/13 dated 03/07/2013 also informs the applicant that the rates of food items served in the Parliament canteen were revised thrice (2003, 2009 and 2010) in last 13 years and the last revision was made on December 14, 2010.
While furnishing reply to the query of the applicant regarding profit and or loss incurred for running this canteen, the official informs that the Northern Railway is providing catering facilities in the Parliament house on no profit and no loss basis and the losses if any are met from the budget allocation of the LS and the Rajya Sabha secretariats on 2:1 ratio. The applicant has also been provided the copy of menu/rate card of food items cooked there which tells that the luxurious food items including non vegetarian food is served at a very meagre price i.e non-veg meals @ `33, roomali roti @ `1, veg sandwich @ `3, prantha @ `3, dal fried @`4, pizza @ `20, kheer @ `8, idli with sambar @ `3, chicken sandwich @ `6, shammi kabab @ `14 and fish curry @ `20 only besides many more items at the almost negligible items. The documents also disclose that during the financial year 2000-01 loss incurred for running the house canteen was `2,46,65,411.92 which has increased with each passing year and in the year 2011-12 the total loss or subsidy claim to run the canteen was `11,94,57,441.59.
While furnishing reply to the query of the applicant regarding profit and or loss incurred for running this canteen, the official informs that the Northern Railway is providing catering facilities in the Parliament house on no profit and no loss basis and the losses if any are met from the budget allocation of the LS and the Rajya Sabha secretariats on 2:1 ratio. The applicant has also been provided the copy of menu/rate card of food items cooked there which tells that the luxurious food items including non vegetarian food is served at a very meagre price i.e non-veg meals @ `33, roomali roti @ `1, veg sandwich @ `3, prantha @ `3, dal fried @`4, pizza @ `20, kheer @ `8, idli with sambar @ `3, chicken sandwich @ `6, shammi kabab @ `14 and fish curry @ `20 only besides many more items at the almost negligible items. The documents also disclose that during the financial year 2000-01 loss incurred for running the house canteen was `2,46,65,411.92 which has increased with each passing year and in the year 2011-12 the total loss or subsidy claim to run the canteen was `11,94,57,441.59.
Profit and Loss Account to run the Parliament Canteen...
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, July 19, 2013
J & K Political Parties & RTI
NC, JKNPP refuse to fall under RTI Act, PDP Replies
Jammu, July, 18,2013: The Sangarsh RTI Movement organized a press conference here at Press Club Jammu. Where Balvinder Singh along with Raman Sharma and Deepak Sharma addressed the media persons and informed the status of the their RTI applications filed to the three main regional political parties of Jammu and Kashmir, including Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party, Peoples Democratic Party and the National Conference.
Balvinder Singh, Convener of Sangarsh RTI group told the media persons that following the order of the Central Information Commission of India declaring the major political parties under the ambit of RTI Act. But since the Central act do not apply to state as J & K have its own RTI Act, 2009 therefore RTI applications were jointly filed by RTI Activist Deepak Sharma and Balvinder Singh to these political parties on 08/June/2013 and as per the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009 the response and reply should have come within 30 days.
During the press conference it was informed that both Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) and JKNPP refused to honour the RTI Act and did not make any reply whatsoever. But only the People’s Democratic Party, ( PDP) have adhered the Transparency law and have provided the sought information under the J & K RTI Act 2009 and hence have admitted to come under the RTI Act, which is obviously and appreciable gesture and we congratulate their leadership for the response.
While interacting with the media, Deepak Sharma told that through their RTI petitions they simply wanted to know the amount of donation (funds) received by these political parties during the last 5 years and details of expenditure thereof. He also said the sought information was quite general in general and could have been easily provided under the RTI Act as a common man has all the right to know that what these political parties do with the funds collected from the masses.
Activist Raman Sharma while expressing his displeasure over the dishonour of the Transparency Law made by the other two political parties is against the ethos of participatory democracy, where the people are the real masters and the government and political parties are just their representatives, Raman said the political parties who are shying away from transparency must tell the people that why they are reluctant to fall under the RTI act when they themselves enacted this law in the state assembly on 20th March, 2009.
Harasis Singh, another member of the Sangarsh RTI appealed leaders of the political parties to honour this transparency law and said that we are optimistic that soon NC and JKNPP would also response the RTI pleas.
Disclosing their further course of action, it was also told that soon the RTI activist would file a complaint under section 15 with the J & K State Information Commission for bringing these political parties under the RTI Act. It is pertinent to mention here that as on date all the political parties have constituted their full fledged RTI Cells to file RTI applications with the government departments and many political leaders exercising this Right to Information from the government functionaries.
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published in JK Newspoint, Earlytimes, and others.
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.
Jammu, July, 18,2013: The Sangarsh RTI Movement organized a press conference here at Press Club Jammu. Where Balvinder Singh along with Raman Sharma and Deepak Sharma addressed the media persons and informed the status of the their RTI applications filed to the three main regional political parties of Jammu and Kashmir, including Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party, Peoples Democratic Party and the National Conference.
Balvinder Singh, Convener of Sangarsh RTI group told the media persons that following the order of the Central Information Commission of India declaring the major political parties under the ambit of RTI Act. But since the Central act do not apply to state as J & K have its own RTI Act, 2009 therefore RTI applications were jointly filed by RTI Activist Deepak Sharma and Balvinder Singh to these political parties on 08/June/2013 and as per the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009 the response and reply should have come within 30 days.
During the press conference it was informed that both Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) and JKNPP refused to honour the RTI Act and did not make any reply whatsoever. But only the People’s Democratic Party, ( PDP) have adhered the Transparency law and have provided the sought information under the J & K RTI Act 2009 and hence have admitted to come under the RTI Act, which is obviously and appreciable gesture and we congratulate their leadership for the response.
While interacting with the media, Deepak Sharma told that through their RTI petitions they simply wanted to know the amount of donation (funds) received by these political parties during the last 5 years and details of expenditure thereof. He also said the sought information was quite general in general and could have been easily provided under the RTI Act as a common man has all the right to know that what these political parties do with the funds collected from the masses.
Activist Raman Sharma while expressing his displeasure over the dishonour of the Transparency Law made by the other two political parties is against the ethos of participatory democracy, where the people are the real masters and the government and political parties are just their representatives, Raman said the political parties who are shying away from transparency must tell the people that why they are reluctant to fall under the RTI act when they themselves enacted this law in the state assembly on 20th March, 2009.
Harasis Singh, another member of the Sangarsh RTI appealed leaders of the political parties to honour this transparency law and said that we are optimistic that soon NC and JKNPP would also response the RTI pleas.
Disclosing their further course of action, it was also told that soon the RTI activist would file a complaint under section 15 with the J & K State Information Commission for bringing these political parties under the RTI Act. It is pertinent to mention here that as on date all the political parties have constituted their full fledged RTI Cells to file RTI applications with the government departments and many political leaders exercising this Right to Information from the government functionaries.
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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