Dr Jitendra announces 100% RTI On-line facility

NEW DELHI, Mar 17: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today announced 100% Right to Information (RTI) On-line facility with all the Public Authorities including PSUs etc., numbering about two thousand, getting aligned with RTI On-line portal before the end of this month.

At a function organized by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) to present Excellence Awards to Ministries and Departments with outstanding performance in RTI disposal, Dr Jitendra Singh said, even though the RTI On-line portal was established by the earlier UPA government, there were less than one hundred Public Authorities connected to this portal when the present government took over in May 2014, but the last two years witnessed a fast-track progress and now, all the two thousand Public Authorities and both the Citizen – interface as well as the Public Authority – interface for the RTI are fully On-line. While a citizen can now conveniently file RTI application On-line and also make On-line payment of the RTI fee at any time of the day from anywhere including from abroad, he said, the public authority interface was challenged with the task of aligning with diverse public authorities associated with the union government as well as union territories, which has also now been brought on the portal.

In addition, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the RTI portal would offer the bilingual option for filing the application either in English or in Hindi and the disposal will be within a stipulated timeline.

Dr Jitendra Singh appealed to the GAD and Personnel Departments of various State Governments to follow the example of DoPT and expedite instituting of an RTI On-line portal covering all the public services. This, he said, is in keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s priority agenda of “maximum governance, minimum Government” with citizen – centric focus  as also the transformation to ‘Digital India’.

Dr Jitendra Singh also called for holding of public awareness programmes to educate masses about optimum utility of hi-tech RTI facility. He said, a major portion of information related to Government of India is already in public domain or on website and therefore, RTIs relating to seek such information can be avoided. Similarly, he suggested some mechanism to avoid RTI on a 

subject or information which has already been revealed to be in public domain through an earlier  RTI.

On the occasion, awards and certificates of excellence for outstanding performance in RTI on-line performance were given among others to Delhi Police, Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Posts, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Life Insurance Corporation, Cabinet Secretariat, Staff Selection Commission, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

Union Secretary DoPT B.P. Sharma, Chairman Staff Selection Commission Ashim Khurana and senior officers of DoPT, banking sector and NIC attended the award ceremony.

Published in Daily Excelsior on 17/March/2017.

http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/dr-jitendra-announces-100-rti-on-line-facility/

In less than 7 years, Rs.547 Cr spent on Modernization of JKP

JKP gets over Rs 547 Cr for its modernization since 2010

J & K Govt. Fails to Submit UCs of Rs. 5 Cr to Home Ministry

Jammu, 17/March/2017: Though union government have released a whooping  amount of Rs. 547.13 Cr during the last 7 years in favour of the Jammu and Kashmir government for modernization of the state police, yet the casual approach of the Babus brought embarrassment  to the state for their failure to submit the essential documents i.e. Utilization Certificates.

However, the allocation of funds by union ministry of home affairs for state police modernization have now also been reduced significantly as compared to previous years. In years 2010-11 and 2011-12 , MHA released an amount of Rs. Rs. 148.25 Cr and Rs 109.73 Cr respectively in favour of the state government, whereas in the year 2015-16 and 2016-17 it  received only Rs. 35.88 Cr and 24.63 Cr each year respectively.

The data has been released by the Union Home ministry in response to an online RTI plea of applicant Raman Sharma submitted with the union government on 26/2/2017 wherein he had asked for details about the money given by the government of India to the state government for modernization of police during the period 01/April/2010 to Feb/2017.

In the RTI reply it has been also revealed that Utilization Certificates amounting almost Rs. 5 Cr have been not submitted by the State government with the union home ministry that are pending up to 31/03/2015, Rs. 4.58 Cr under Non-plan head and Rs.31 Lac under Plan-head.

It is pertinent to mention here that as per the guidelines of the funds released under police modernization scheme it has been made ample clear that unless utilization certificates are made available for the full amount of the release money no further release of funds shall be made to any entity.

The funds received under Police Modernization scheme (under Non plan head) has to be spent on strengthening the Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems, improving mobility, purchasing and upgrading weapons, equipment, training equipment, forensic equipment, etc.  Whereas under Plan head funds may be utilized for  the construction / up gradation of police stations / outposts, police lines, police housing, construction of forensic science laboratories and training infrastructure (buildings). 

Latest RTI REPLY

Funds released to J & K by the MHA for Police Modernization
Under Non Plan Head	Rs. 148 Cr
Year 2010-11
2011-12	Rs. 109.73 Cr
2012-13	Rs. 22.47 Cr
2013-14	Rs. 18.88 Cr
2014-15	Rs. 44.36 Cr
2015-16	Rs. 35.88 Cr
2016-17	Rs. 24.63 Cr
Under  Plan Head
Year 2013-14	Rs. 82.12 Cr
Year 2014-15	Rs. 60.81 Cr

Published in Daily Excelsior, Kashmir Times, Amar Ujala, State Times and others. on 18/Mar/2017

https://news.statetimes.in/less-7-years-rs-547-cr-spent-modernisation-jkp/

RBI Denies Info on Old Currency Notes Deposited in J & K

RBI  Refuses to  share data on Old Currency Notes Deposited in J & K

Jammu, 16/03/2017: Contrary to the general perception that Reserve Bank of India is well aware of all the transactions made by the companies and Individuals in the bank accounts, but the fact is otherwise or must say shocking, yes the Reserve Bank of India Has itself stated that it does not keep such data.

In an official communiqué in response to an RTI application of applicant Raman Sharma, the Chief Public Information Officer of the Reserve Bank of India vide their letter number RBIND/R/2017/50598 dated 16/03/2017 have stated that the sought information is not available in the form in which it is sought and rejected his RTI plea.

Earlier in his RTI plea dated 14/Feb/2017, Raman had asked for detail of total number of currency notes of Rs. 2000 and Rs. 500 that were issued  to different banks/financial institutions operating in Jammu and Kashmir State  between the period 08/Nov/2016 to 31/Dec/2016.

In the same RTI plea, the applicant also wanted to know from the Central bank about the total number of old currency notes of Rs. 1000 and Rs. 500 that were deposited in different banks/financial institutions operating in J & K State , between the period 08/Nov/2016 to 31/Dec/2016.

While responding 1^st part of the application, the RBI invoked section 7(9) of the Right to Information Act 2009 and said collecting such information would divert disproportionally the resources of the bank as such information is not available with it.

 Expressing displeasure over the response of the Reserve Bank of India, the information seeker Raman accused it of stone walling and shying away from transparency, he said it is unbelievable that such a highest and statutory body is unaware of the currency notes distributed and deposited in banks.

 He also referred the preamble of the RBI act 1934 which states  the basic functions of the bank as “...to regulate the issue of Bank Notes and keeping of reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in India and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country to its advantage."   

published in State Times, Kashmir Times, Kashmir Observer, Early Times, The News Now and others.

http://www.kashmirtimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=64773

http://www.thenewsnow.co.in/newsdet.aspx?q=24404

Activist Moves SHRC, Demands Life Saving Gadgets for PDD Linemen

Electrocution of PDD Linemen in Kashmir

Activist Moves SHRC,  Demands Life Saving Gadgets for PDD Linemen

Jammu, 06/March/2017: In the wake of tragic incident of electrocution of PDD linemen, seeking directions against the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development department regarding providing safety gadgets to the lineman of power development department, a petition has been filed before the Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission at Jammu office.

In the prayer, the commission has been urged to protect and safe precious lives of the poor linemen and other junior staff members of the Power Development Department who in the absence of safety gadgets and non adherence of Standard Operating Procedure are prone to risk to their lives.

In the complaint, the petitioner along with press clippings of the incident have urged the commission to array secretary Power Development Department as respondent besides Chief Engineers PDD Kashmir and Jammu  and issue them necessary directions and clarify their stand on the SoPs while repairing High Tension cables and poles.

In his 2 page- complaint and other supporting documents, the petitioner, RTI activist Raman Sharma have submitted before the panel that it is grave injustice that the poor officials of the PDD who illuminate our houses and towns but our government put their families in the dark and risk the precious lives of their dear ones. He asked the commission to take suo-moto cognizance of the instant case and issue directions.

Besides demanding suitable ex-gratia and government job for the deceased daily wager in the tragic incident of electrocution, Sharma has also appealed for looking after education of their children and well being of their family. Raman Sharma also apprised that the Commission has informed him that the government has been directed to award interim compensation of Rs. One Lac to the victim and the hearing of the case shall continue.

KASHMIR TIMES , 07/03/2017

Out of 25 Police Districts & 215 Police Stations, Only Seven P/S Headed by Lady Officers

Under the Regime of  Woman Chief Minister

Out 215 Police Stations in J & K, Only Seven Headed by Lady Officers

Jammu, 22/Feb/2017: Out of total 215 Police Station  spread across 22 civil districts (25 Police districts) in Jammu and Kashmir State, only 7 police stations are headed by female officers and rest of 208 are commanded by male Station House Officers. Out of these 7 Police Stations headed by lady cops, 6 are all women police stations, means factually only one general police station  is being headed by a female officer. None of the 25 police districts is headed by any lady officer.

In addition to this, on the question of representation to lady police officers on other significant positions in the state only two armed police Battalions (IRP) are headed by female commandants other than this  Jammu and Kashmir government have assigned the task of managing traffic in both the capital cities of the state i.e. Srinagar and Jammu to two  lady cops.  Besides that no  other significant post is held by and lady police officer in the entire state which itself is headed by a women chief minister.  

The  information in this regard was provided by the Jammu and Kashmir Police Headquarters in response to an RTI application of RTI activist Raman Sharma wherein he has filed RTI with the state police department to know about the deputation of lady officers on the significant and important positions. 

In his RTI plea filed in the month of January 2017, Sharma had asked for  copy of any specific policy/ manual or Circular governing transfer/ postings and promotions of women police at all ranks from Deputy Superintendent of Police to         Constable, while responding to these queries, the Police Headquarters in their reply dated 08/02/2017 informed that there is no separate norm for postings and promotions however their transfer is governed by a general policy of transfers which is also applicable to male colleagues.  Though the transfer policy regulation does not have any specific guideline for the transfers/postings of the lady cops however, General Principle Rule 4 of transfer policy document issued by the PHQ vide their order no 2615/2012 dated 21/07/2012 states that where both husband and wife are serving in the police department, they may be conveniently posted as far as possible subject to availability of the post and keeping in view the interest of the administration as well.  It is pertinent to mention here that earlier also in an RTI reply, the State police had admitted that representation of women in the police department was less than 4 percent and majority of them constitute in the constabulary only.    Raman Sharma has conveyed his thanks to the Public Information Officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Headquarters for providing him all the sought information within stipulated period of time.

Attached Link :connected news

Published in Early Times, Kashmir Times, Daily Excelsior, Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala Journey Line.

http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/women-police-officers/

http://www.earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=196870

https://kashmirobserver.net/2017/local-news/only-seven-woman-officers-heading-police-stations-out-215-across-jk-14997

Unrest in Kashmir and Strangulation of Education !

Kashmir: Depriving Education is Well Planned Conspiracy !

Raman Sharma

In a humane society and in a democratic set up like ours in India, everyone have the right to demand everything, even the Sun, forget the Moon and the Stars but only with a caveat that your demand should not infringe the rights of others.  It must be hypocrisy when you beat your chest and shout from the roof top and accuse others for not allowing you to exercise your rights, but on the same time not ignorantly but with a well planned conspiracy you ignore and deprive others of their due rights.

Let’s for the sake of arguments for a moment assume that demands of separatists and brigade of stone-pelters  in Kashmir are justifiable, but even then their reluctance and blockade of flow of education in Kashmir society is unacceptable. The Champions of so called Kashmir movement should explain to the innocent people there that what good can be achieved with strangulation of knowledge and education ?.

Now it’s almost 3 months that schools and other educational institutions are closed in Valley but the wheel of clock running fast, so does the world. How long will you keep these educational institutions closed ? if education is not more important than your so called ‘K’ cause then what had compelled  prominent separatist leader Moulvi Umar Farooq or must say Dr. Umar Farooq to attain doctorate (though appreciable), he is an alumni of one of the premier school of Kashmir, the Burn Hall School and posses graduation degree in Political Science and Literature. Why did he not wait to complete his studies till the resolution of Kashmir Cause. Because he is a shrewd man like all other separatist leaders who repeatedly keep shouting the bogy of right to self determination but never miss a good opportunity for themselves.

Without interfering in the personal lives of these leaders of secessionist- ideology  and militancy supporters of  Kashmir, it is humble request that they must at least reveal before their followers about their own educational qualifications besides kitty of wealth they hold in India and abroad, let’s forget  their kith and kin.

Perhaps this a well planned conspiracy to deprive the innocent children of their fundamental right to education, should the people of Kashmir need to remind what religion says “ Seek knowledge even if you have to go as far as China, seeking knowledge is your  duty ,”.

It is not only the right but also a duty to seek knowledge then why these people are trying to create a knowledge vacuum in the state, especially Kashmir.

It appears to be a conspiracy not to allow the revolution of education there in Valley, because education brings peace and these leaders don’t want the dust to settle and wish to keep the pot boiling.

An educated generation would call all their bluffs and would decide their fate with open mind. An educated youth would surely ask too many questions before deciding to get self involved in this hate propaganda and violence but it does not suit the self acclaimed leaders of resistance (new terminology used by few Journalists for secessionists and anti-India leaders ) and militancy supporters.

Despite difficult terrain and given demographic and other unpleasant factors in the region, the Himalyan State of ours have surpassed rest of India in flaming the light of literacy,  The Census data 2011 reveals that state witnessed a jump of over 12 percent literacy rate  (in comparison to 2001) standing at   67.17  whereas in the year 2001 it was 55.12 %, a jump of over 12 percent itself reveals that appetite for   learning is increasing in the state.  The overall increase in literacy rate of the country from 2001 to 2011 is 8.66 percent, which is now 74.04 % whereas it was 65.38 percent.

 The more enthusiastic and positive development of J & K that is to be noted in comparison to male literacy ratio is that there is growth of over 13 percent of female literacy ratio, it stood 56.43 % in 2011 census whereas it was 43 % in 2001. The male literacy rate increase was slightly above 10 %, in the year 2001 figures it was 66.60 percent and in 2011 it stood 76.75 percent.  

In the recent past, the youth of the state have shown keen interest in the civil services  exams not only at the state level but some have even brought laurels with their outstanding rankings at the Union Public Services Exams. These successful youth leaders have emerged as iconic and inspirational figures for candidates of the other states as well, this is matter of contentment and immense pride to be cherished by the people of the state. But it is pitiful that under a deep conspiracy a vicious and hate campaign is initiated in Kashmir to malign those who with their competence, dedication and hard work crack the civil services and Join IAS or KAS. They are being called as ‘Agents’ of the State, brutally denying the fact that their selection is not a charity by the government or the agencies, but they are selected because they deserve, to disparage their personality, even questions are raised on their  love for their own people and these hate mongers even don’t hesitate to tag  them as ‘traitors’ .

Unfortunately, a section of media in Kashmir have also felicitated these self acclaimed champions of Kashmir Cause to engulf an atmosphere of disrespect for the civil servants  and repulsive attitude for Civil Services Exams. Justifying the glorification of radicalization and militant ideology amongst the youth in Kashmir, some journalists have inked long and tedious editorials one after another. These journalists and editors who are not raising their voice again educational blockade are abettors in the heinous act of spoiling the futures of generations of Kashmir.

Those who opposing opening of educational institutions in the Valley till resolution of the Kashmir issue are enemies of their own people, even to wage a war against one’s enemy, one need competency, infrastructure, skilled manpower and knowledge. Only ‘Hatred’  is not a sufficient element to win a battle. About Raman: he is an RTI activist having email:  jkrtiact@gmail.com

Revenue Terminology ! Jammu and Kashmir...

Often We get confused when hear the words like Intikaab, Fard, Jamabandi, Gosha, Khata, Khewat and Khatoni. Since we don't understand the revenue terminology thus we have  remain dependent upon others to know what these words mean especially whenever we buy a piece of land.
Therefore in an attempt to provide you little bit of understanding of these words, a sincere effort has been made hope it would be useful for the readers.

Map entire land along banks of Tawi, identify encroachers for action: DB

Govt agencies unaware of extent of encroachments

Expresses concern over illegal extraction of minerals

11/08/2016/ Daily Excelsior

Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Aug 10: Observing that all the concerned Government agencies are unaware of the extent of encroachments along the banks of River Tawi despite the situation having assumed alarming proportion, the Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice B S Walia has directed for mapping of entire land along the banks of sacred river right from Nagrota to Phallian Mandal and then identification of encroachers for initiating stern action including demolition of unauthorised constructions.

These directions have been passed in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by practising lawyer Diwakar Sharma and RTI practitioner Raman Sharma, founding members of “Save My Tawi Campaign” highlighting the plight of River Tawi because of encroachments, illegal extraction of minor mineral and uninterrupted flow of sewage water.

“It seems that the concerned Governmental agencies are completely unaware of the extent of encroachments on the banks of River Tawi. Moreover, confusion prevails as to which agency or department has to ensure that there is no encroachment and which department should have controlled and regulated the land along the banks”, the Division Bench observed in the open court, adding “this is mainly because no serious efforts were made in this direction and the concerned agencies always tried to pass buck on each other”.

Stating that encroachments that have taken place over the years and may be continuing on account of negligence or with the connivance of the official respondents are required to be dealt with seriously, the DB said, “first of all the official respondents must identify as to what exactly is the area, which forms part of River Tawi or its banks, which otherwise should have been controlled and regulated by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Forest Department and other Governmental agencies”.

“Once the extent of area is identified and property mapped, it would then be easy for the respondents to immediately act to demolish any unauthorised construction or encroachment or to prevent such an encroachment in future”, the DB said and directed the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu to constitute a committee of officers from Revenue, Irrigation and Flood Control and Forest Departments, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Jammu Development Authority and Nazool to identify and map the entire land along the banks of River Tawi from Nagrota to Phallian Mandal.

After mapping the entire land, the committee shall identify the encroachers, the extent of encroachments made by them, the nature of encroachment or construction raised by them and the time when the encroachment had taken place and thereafter necessary steps shall be taken for removing the encroachment, the DB further directed.

Pointing towards the status report dated July 22, 2015, the DB directed that a comprehensive report shall be filed by the respondents reflecting the steps taken to evict the encroachers whose names were mentioned in the status report. “Failure on the part of the concerned authorities in this regard would make them liable for action”, the DB made it clear.

In order to prevent encroachments in future, the DB has issued directions for preparation of record of satellite imagery of the entire area on fortnightly basis for examination of all the concerned authorities. “This will facilitate the concerned departments to ascertain whether any fresh attempt has been made to encroach upon the river banks”, the DB added.

Taking serious note of failure of the Jammu Municipal Corporation to initiate necessary steps to check pollution of river Tawi, the DB said, “the Corporation shall file a detailed affidavit reflecting the steps taken to prevent the free flow of sewage water from the city into the river as also the steps taken to prevent dumping of municipal waste on the river banks”.

Referring to the argument of the counsel for the petitioner that there was large scale extraction of minor minerals like sand, bajri etc from the Tawi bed without there being any effective mechanism to monitor the same, the DB observed, “the court has been informed that sand mafia was permitted to have a free hand on extraction of these minor minerals”.

On this, the Mining Officer, who was present in the court, drew the attention of DB towards SRO 133 dated April 20, 2016 which reads: “As a transitory measure and in order to ensure uninterrupted supply of minor mineral to the consumers, the department may issue permission valid up to July 31, 2016 for extraction of minor mineral to any existing quarry holder or to any person extracting such minor minerals or for transportation of such minerals on royalty basis”.

“From the statement of the Mining Officer it appears that there is no regulation on extraction of minor minerals, which goes on throughout the night including its transportation”, the DB observed, adding “admittedly none of the officers of the Geology and Mining Department is present at night to check as to whether extraction of minor minerals is taking place from the designated spots/blocks according to the prescribed coordinates or not”.

Accordingly, the DB directed Commissioner Secretary, Geology and Mining Department and SSP Jammu to file comprehensive and detailed affidavits as to how they propose to check the menace of illegal extraction of minor minerals from Tawi bed so that there is no loss of revenue to the Government on account of non-payment of royalty by those involved in extraction of such minor minerals and the extraction is permitted only from the designated blocks.

Poor implementation of MGNREGA in J & K

J & K Govt  Owes Several Crores Liability towards  MGNREGA Labourers

Raman Sharma

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, MGNREGA or formerly called as National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, NREGA was passed by the parliament in year 2005 and received the assent of the president on 05 September 2005.

The preamble of the act makes the intention of the government and the law-makers clear wherein it says “ An Act to provide for the enhancement of livelihood security of the households in rural areas of the country by providing at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do .Un-Skilled manual work and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”.

The law had been brought to provide at least 100 days guaranteed job to every rural household everywhere in the country except  Jammu and Kashmir.

Section 1 (2) of the principal act, like many other laws passed by  the parliament of India made it clear that  this act was also not applicable to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.  

Therefore initially the rural population of the state was deprived of the 100 days guaranteed job works, but after witnessing huge response from masses and success of the act in other parts of the country, in the year 2007, an amendment was made in the  act to enable and extend the provisions of the law in our state state, and in may-2007 the parliament vide a new legislation known as  National Rural Employment Guarantee (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Act, 2007 extended the law here as well.

As the preamble makes it clear that the only aim of this law is to ensure guaranteed wage employment to the rural population and to be honest in Jammu and Kashmir also this law has provided uninterrupted and on demanded wage employment to the  households in the villages.

One main reason for the huge success of this act had remained the strict time schedule for every stage and provision of compensation to the applicant (villager) if the competent authority fails to follow the time schedule.  

As per the provision of the law, any major person of a rural household can apply to the competent authority seeking unskilled guaranteed job of 100 days in an year and once the application is submitted seeking job, the competent authority shall have to provide either job within 15 days or give unemployment allowance to the card holder.

Since this act deals with most vulnerable class of the society therefore the enabling provisions of the law are pro-poor. As per the act, the payment should be made to the worker within 15 days and in case of delay in releasing wages there is also a provision for compensation to the worker  under payment of wages act.

Different state governments have fixed different wage rates depending upon their minimum wages law and   financial resources and Jammu and Kashmir State is amongst those states that provide minimum wages, we are  just ahead of Bihar , Jharkhad, Chattisgarh where the minimum fixed wage to MGNRGA workers is Rs 167/day, Nagaland, Tripura and  Arunachal that provides minimum wage of Rs. 172/Day. In Jammu and Kashmir the fixed wage for MGREGA works is Rs. 173/Day, that is too low even if compared with our neighbouring state like Punjab (Rs. 208/Day)  Haryana (Rs. 259/Day) or even Himachal that gives Rs. 213/Day wage to its workers under MGNREGA.

The most unfortunate part in proper implementation of MGNREGA in Jammu and Kashmir is not only of giving meagre wage of amounting Rs 173 per day but the delay even in paying such meagre wage to the workers.

Yes, as per information provided under Right to Information Act ( which is available with this scribe) by the different blocks and district officers of the Rural Development department the officers have even given figures which in many cases  runs in Crores of rupees wherein they have confessed that the government owes a huge liability as cost of labour and material against the works done under the MGNREG Act.

In  all the 22 districts of the state, be it panchayats of Kashmir Valley, Jammu or Leh there is pending liability of labour wages.

It is not only aberrant and astonishing but shameful and sinful also that poor villagers who have volunteered their manual services are deprived of their legal wages, both the state and central government must bear the blame for this inordinate delay.

During the last 2 financial years the government of India have curtailed the amount of money given under MGNREGA to the J & K government, in the year 2015-16 the union government gave Rs. 55801.83 Lacs, in the year 2014-15 the figure was Rs 52171.08, whereas in the year 2013-14 the state government received MGNREGA funds of Rs. 60315.73 Lacs and in it was  Rs 76276.16 Lacs in year 2012-13.

The poor villagers are feeling helpless and running pillar to post to get their wages, neither the Block Development Officers nor the District Panchayat Officers are giving any satisfactory  reply to these helpless citizens  and in absence of the institution of Ombudsman, these victims of government’s apathy are at the verge of starvation.

After the completion of the terms of panchayats, the ray of hope for these villagers have further diminished as now the officers are not giving any sort of information or assurance to them.

What an irony that the citizens of that state are made to keep waiting for months to get even their due wages of Rs. 173/day where their own elected law makers MLAs and MLCs irrespective of political affiliation themselves decide to double their salaries and allowances without any consultation with the citizenry.

It would have been appreciated that if these honourable elected members of the legislatures had also shown similar courtesy to ensure timely release of the wages of these hard working citizens who had volunteered their manual services for their livelihood. About  Author: Raman Sharma is an  RTI Activist from Jammu and can be reached [a] jkrtiact@gmail.com, 9796811012.