I
Sir,
This refers to article titled “Establish CISs bench in J&K and Ladakh” by Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat (DE 18th March 2020). Absence of State Information Commission has made RTI Act a Toothless Tiger in J&K. If Government wants to empower people of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh , the only way to do so is to empower them with the best access to information law and best Information Commission that would give information seekers justice.
RTI Act 2005 has a provision of State Information Commission (SIC) but not for Union Territories (UTs). Where shall the people of J&K go now ? The author has rightly said that how can people of Nubra in Ladakh or Zanaskar in Kargil , Dacchan in Kishtwar or Teethwal in Kupwara go to New Delhi and appear for 2nd appeal hearing ? This is actually ridiculous and dis-empowerment of people. Govt of India and UT Administration must soon set up Central Information Commission’s (CIC) benches in Srinagar , Jammu and Ladakh so that they get empowered. I appeal MoS in PMO Dr Jitender Singh and Lt Governor G C Murmu to make necessary arrangements for establishing CICs benches in J&K and Ladakh.
Sajad Hussain Mir
Alamgari Bazar,
Srinagar
II
Sir,
Excelsior has taken a lead in prominantly highlighting necessity to establish CIC bench in UT. Denial or delay in providing statutory forum to public amounts to denial of right to information, otherwise, guaranteed under all sacred books and Constitution. GOI must come forward with workable solution.
Syed Nasrullah Shah
III
Sir,
If Govt of India is really serious about empowerment of people and eradication of corruption then the laws like RTI Act have to be strengthened . It is very sad that Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh got stripped of State Information Commission . It is impossible for people to go to Delhi and file a complaint or appeal or appear before the CIC during case hearing . We need a separate Information Commission or a CIC bench in Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh
Syed Farhat
RTI Activist
Surasyar, Budgam
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