GAD tops in RTI cases coming in SIC’s notice

Srinagar, Mar 20: Jammu and Kashmir State Information Commission has received maximum Right to Information act (RTI) cases from Government of Administration Department (GAD), reveals a research.
As per the research “A review of decisions of the J&K State Information Commission: presentation of preliminary findings” done by three law students during their internship with SIC reveals that GAD tops with around 34 RTI cases followed by Health and Medical Education Department with 22 cases and School Education Department with 19 RTI cases.
In addition, 17 cases from Housing and Urban Development Department, 12 from Home Department, 12 from PWD, and 9 from Rural Development departments were also received.
Also nine cases were received from PHE Irrigation Department, seven from Power Development Department, seven from Jammu and Kashmir High Court, six from Department of Universities, five from Social Welfare Department, four from Culture, Forests and Tourism departments.
Around three cases were also received from Higher Education Department and others.
Two from CM’s office, Corporate, Technical Education, Transport, Industries and Commerce. Also one from Agriculture and Production, Food and supplies, one Information, JK Economics Reconstruction agency and Finance.
The research also shows that around 252 decisions were analysed in which 235 cases were appeals and 17 were complaints.
Region wise number of cases included 133 in Jammu, 111 from Kashmir, two from Ladakh, and six were unclear.
Also, around 145 were public cause cases, 56 personal interest, and 51 were unclear cases.
There was no reply from PIO and fAA , 21 cases were with no reply from PIO and dissatisfied with fAA’s order. Also, in around 11 cases PIOs did not comply with FAA order, 29 no FAA order, 11 were unclear.
Around 57 cases were closed as information was provided during case pendency, four improve compliance with proactive disclosure, 8 give information free of cost, 13 improve compliance and sensitise or train and One was for compensation notice.
In addition, 46.8 percent were cases deserving show cause and 7.5 percent were penalty show cause issued.
The research was done by three law students Adeela firdous, Sumaila Qureshi and Naveed Bukhtiyar.
The Jammu & Kashmir Right to Information Act 2009 completes its fourteen years of enactment in Jammu and Kashmir.
A one day workshop was conducted today in which stakeholders of RTI particularly Former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah was also a guest.
RTI Activists belonging to different RTI based groups in the state, Dr Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, Chairperson J&K RTI movement, Prof. M. Sridhar Acharyulu, Informatuon Comissioner , Central Information Commission also participated in the celebration of RTI day.
The workshop was held at Conference hall of Centre for Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir.
Former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah discussed the importance of RTI act.