1938 units of blood went drain in GMC and SMGS hospital in 3 years

 Jammu, 12/Feb/2014: In a shocking reply to the RTI filed by RTI activist Deepak Sharma, the Government Medical College and Hospital reveled that a total of 1140 blood units were wasted in GMC Jammu in 3 years and 796 blood units wasted in SMGS hospital during the same period making a total waste of 1938 blood units in two premier Government hospitals of the city.

Sharing details, Deepak said that many times it is seen that people face many hardship for arranging blood for their patients as most of the time they are denied blood from the blood banks of hospitals and are asked to arrange blood for the patients at their own. Whereas citizens and volunteers throng blood donation camps and willingly part with their own blood with the noble intention of saving lives of others. To find the utilization of blood and functioning of blood banks in the hospitals he filed the RTI.

The Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu in reply to the RTI divulged that 183 units of blood discarded in the year 2011, jumping to the discard of 536 units of blood  in 2012 and 421 units of blood discarded in 2013 in GMC. Whereas in SMGS hospital 235 units of blood discarded in 2011, 247 units discarded in 2012 and which rose to 316 units of discarded blood in 2013. The figures speaks volume of the wastage of the blood, which normally expires in 35 days from the date of its collection.   It is also submitted that blood components which are prepared from a unit of whole blood and includes Red Blood cells, platelets and fresh frozen plasma are not prepared in GMC, as the hospital do not have the permission to prepare the components of blood due to paucity of machines and space. Also around 500 units of blood is given to other private hospitals and nursing homes of the state.  Furthermore the SMGS hospital is waiting from the last 1 year to get its blood bank license renewed which expired in December 2012.

One of the major reasons for the blood wastage has been the absence of maintaining the temperature of blood units during its shifting from the blood bank to the recipient department or on receiving it back at the blood bank owing to its non utilization. 

“There seems to be a lack of proper storage, handling facilities and qualified technicians at the hospital behind such a huge waste of precious blood and many of such units are  destroyed by the blood bank because they had crossed the expiry date which could have been given to those in need of blood. “ said the activist. To save the blood from wastage the activist has appealed the Government to device a mechanism to inter connect all the blood banks of hospitals in the state where availability  of blood units of various groups is updated regularly, so that those in need of blood can contact the respective blood bank and blood is used before its expiry .  The activist also appealed to the government to conduct regular audit of blood banks to minimize the blood wastage.

Declaring JK Bank as Public Authority: Chief Justice transfers JK Bank case on SIC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 8: Chief Justice of State High Court, Justice M M Kumar has transferred from Srinagar Wing to Jammu the petition filed by J&K Bank challenging the order of Full Bench of State Information Commission whereby the bank was declared as “Public Authority”.
After hearing the both the sides, Chief Justice observed, “the petition should have been filed in the Jammu Wing of the High Court as the decision challenged in the writ petition has been passed at Jammu and out of nine complainants, seven are permanent residents of Jammu province”.
“As the Bank has its established office at Jammu also, no inconvenience would be caused to the Bank to prosecute its case at Jammu. On the other hand, the applicant and others could not be asked to defend their case at Srinagar for the sole reason that Bank has its head office at Srinagar”, the Chief Justice said and directed for transfer of OWP No. 616/2012 titled as J&KBank Limited Versus J&K State Information Commission and Others pending in the Srinagar Wing to the Jammu Wing of the High Court. Registrar (Judicial) Srinagar Wing was directed to send the file to Jammu Wing for listing the same as per roster in Jammu Wing.

http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/cj-transfers-jk-bank-case-on-sic/

Published in Daily excelsior, JK News Point and other daily newspaper on 9th/Feb/2014.



JKNEWSPOINT........http://www.jknewspoint.com/newsdet.aspx?q=31011 

CJ transferred petition filed by J&K Bank

Newspoint Bureau

Jammu Tawi, February 8 Chief Justice of State High Court MM Kumar has transferred the petition filed by J&K Bank challenging the order of Full Bench of SIC whereby SIC declares J&K Bank as "Public Authority" from Srinagar Wing to Jammu Wing. This directions has been passed in a transfer petition filed by Vilakshan Singh seeking transfer of petition (titled as J&K Bank Limited v. J&K State Information Commission and ors from Srinagar Wing of the High Court to the Jammu Wing of the Court. Chief Justice MM Kumar of State High Court after considering the both the sides observed that petition should have been filed in the Jammu Wing of the High Court as the decision challenged in the writ petition has been passed at Jammu and out of nine complainants, seven are permanent residents of Jammu province. As the Bank has its established office at Jammu also, no inconvenience would be caused to the Bank to prosecute its case at Jammu. On the other hand, the applicant and others could not be asked to defend their case at Srinagar for the sole reason that Bank has its head office at Srinagar and further observed that this petition succeeds. OWP no. 616/2012 titled as J&K Bank Limited v. J&K State Information Commission and others pending in the Srinagar Wing is directed to be transferred to the Jammu Wing of the High Court. Registrar (Judicial) Srinagar Wing is directed to send the file to Jammu Wing for listing the same as per roster in Jammu Wing. JNF

Police defy GAD circular, complaint lodged with CM

POLICE USING WORD  'DARBAR' Early Times

2/4/2014 10:20:35 PM

Sumit Sharma JAMMU, Feb 4: Humiliating the General Administration Department (GAD), the Jammu and Kashmir Police defied its circular with impunity and impetuosity, compelling an RTI activist to lodge a complaint against 'Khakhi' with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in this regard . The, State General Administration department, (GAD) issued a circular vide no 32-GAD of 2012 dated 15/10/2013 where clear directions were given to the officers and Ministers to stop using objectionable word 'Darbar' which sounds and reminds the era of monarchy and which is against the ethos and principles of democracy which are the essential components of the constitution of the country and even of the State. The GAD officially declared the word 'Public Darbar' as "Public Grievances Camp" and the circular of the GAD have made a lot of impact on all civil departments and ministries, except police department where the senior officers of the police like DGP, ADGP, IGP, DIG's, SSPs and SP ranked officer are blatantly using this word for their meeting with their subordinates and Jawans and even for public meetings. The phrases like 'DGP Darbar', 'SSP Darbar' are regularly used by the state police department in their press notes through State Information and Publicity department. In the complaint lodged to Chief Minister, the RTI activist Raman has urged upon him to give directions to the State Police Department to honor the feelings of the people, honor the GAD circular no 32 of 2012 and stop using this objectionable word. Pertinently, the State Government replaced the word "Darbar" in all official communications of the Government. Jammu and Kashmir General Administration formally issued an order in this regard vide circular no. 32/GAD dated 15/Oct/2012 where it has impressed upon all the Government Functionaries, Divisional and District Administration to ensure that the words "Public Grievances Camp" are used in all relevant communications. This development came in the wake of an appeal cum objection filed by Jammu based RTI activist Raman Sharma, where he had urged the Chief Minister to issue a direction to the Government departments not to use word "Public Darbar" for official meetings of the Ministers and the officer, according to the complainant it was against the values and principles of democratic establishment of equality. In his appeal through Chief Minister Grievance Cell vide no. 32045 dated 19/May/2012, Raman demanded a direction for everyone right from Ministers to junior level officers to avoid words like "Darbar" in official press notes and communications Published in Early Times on 05/02/2014 : http://www.earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=121983

SVO Prefers Silence on probe Against JKPCC

Despite CM Secretariat’s  Direction and 3 Reminders

SVO Prefers Silence on probe Against JKPCC

Jammu, 01/Feb/2014: The Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Organization is keeping a mum over the probe ordered by none other than the Chief Minister’s Secretariat  against the JKPCC, Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation Limited, a government owned company. The Chief Minister’s grievance cell (jkgrievance.nic.in) on 18/12/2013 had forwarded a complaint against the JKPCC to the State Vigilance Organization and then after also sent at least 3 reminders      ( reminders dated 30/12/2013, 06/01/2014 and 20/01/2014) to the State Vigilance department requesting early disposal of the complaint but all fell on deaf ear and the organization did not even bother to acknowledge the receipt of the complaint.

Earlier on 13/Dec/2013  complainant Raman Sharma had submitted  a written complaint to the Chief Minister through grievance cell wherein  his plea  he had submitted that the JKPCC  has flouted the directions of the Chief Minister and had purchased three luxurious vehicles and despite having 25 vehicles of its own also hired 6 private vehicles without inviting any tenders and have made a payment of Rs. 4,88,000.

In the complaint (vide no 45049) it is being submitted  the Chief Minister  while being officiating as Chairman of JKPCC in 2010, in 85th meeting of Board of Directors had directed the corporation to emphasize the need of capacity building to make it more profit earning and job providing organization and  lay stress on making transparency benchmark of functioning in the Corporation and vetting of the proposals involving financial implications and administrative matters by the Finance and Budget Committees of the Corporation for the final consideration of the Board.

In the meeting the chief minister had also directed for putting moratorium on purchase of high cost vehicles for next five years (till 2015 ). It was also directed to the corporation that the vehicles required for field workers should be given preference over the high cost luxury ones and the proposal for purchase of vehicles should be got approved not only by the Chairman (Minister in charge) of JKPCC but also by the Chief Minister. But flouting all the directive of the Chief Minister, the corporation has recently purchased three SUVs Renault Dusters and it has also drained an amount of Rs. 75,42804 as fuel charges. The complainant had further alleged.

published in state times, early times, jk news point and others

http://www.jknewspoint.com/newsdet.aspx?q=30586

http://www.statetimes.in/news/despite-cm-secretariats-directions-svo-silent-probe-jkpcc/

http://www.earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=121788

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.]

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.....

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 .     

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

Text Matter of RTI to JK Government

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/

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

http://www.jknewspoint.com/newsdet.aspx?q=29488
http://jammu.greaterkashmir.com/news/2014/Jan/12/non-functional-meters-of-autorickshaws-17.asp

Raman Sharma Interview in Dainik Jagran 02/Oct/2013

Raman Sharma Interview in Dainik Jagran-02/Oct/2013, Special Edition, Josh

“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.

 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,

	Balvinder Singh, Convener Sangarsh RTI Movement	Raman Sharma, Founder, Sangarsh RTI Movement
Dewaker Sharma, Advocate, Member Sangarsh RTI Movement	Harasis Singh, RTI Activist, member, Sangarsh RTI Movement	Deepak Sharma, RTI Activist, member Sangarsh

Balvinder Singh,

Convener

Sangarsh RTI Movement

Raman Sharma,

Founder,

Sangarsh RTI Movement

Dewaker Sharma,

Advocate,

Member

Sangarsh RTI Movement

Harasis Singh,

RTI Activist, member,

Sangarsh RTI Movement

Deepak Sharma,

RTI Activist, member Sangarsh

Sangarsh RTI Movement congratulates Arvind Kejriwal

Jammu, 28/Dec/2013: Sangarsh RTI Movement in JK, an organization of RTI activists has congratulated Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal for being elected as Chief Minister of Delhi State. Balvinder Singh, convener of the organization in his congratulatory message to Delhi CM said that Aam Aadmi Party has proved that even an ordinary but honest person can make the difference with sincere and constant effort. This is historic day for Indian democracy and it would obviously usher a new era of revolution in the country, the tradition political parties now must see the writing on the wall and listen the voice of common man. Balvinder also appreciated the decision of kejriwal where he has negated  the VIP culture by rejecting ‘Z’ Category security and Chief Ministerial Bungalow . Whereas RTI activist Raman Sharma who is founder of the Sangarsh RTI group also offered greetings to the team Kejriwal. Raman said Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia have played a very important role in spreading awareness about Right to Information Law, sharing  personal experiences Raman informed that whenever they (Sangarsh RTI members) asked for any help with regard to legal and technical aspect of the RTI act, these people have sincerely and without any delay offered their guidance  and cooperation.

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

published in Kashmir Times, Jammu Bulletein, Glimpse of Future

Jammu Bulletin

Glimpse of Future