Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 20: Suggesting that confrontation with political-executive should be avoided, State Chief Information Commissioner G R Sofi today said that the Information Act is not to undermine functioning of the public authorities but make the system transparent and accountable.
“The State Information Commission is meant to implement the Right to Information Act 2009 and not get justice for the people or pressurize the Government,” he said while speaking at a seminar, here today, in connection with four years of RTI in Jammu and Kashmir.
The seminar was organized by Universal Foundation for Awareness and Development of Civil Society and attended by prominent persons and social activists.
Emphasizing that those who use the act for getting information should act in a responsible manner, Mr Sofi lamented that there were some complaints being received, occasionally though, that the Act was being misused.
Distancing himself from the general criticism of Government over amending RTI Act, the CIC sought to explain that any law passed by the Legislature is dynamic and even the RTI Act may need updating in due course of time.
Earlier, in his presidential address, Retired Judge Justice G D Sharma stressed the need for more activism in RTI, the law of which he said, is something that has descended from the scriptures themselves. “Every religion teaches that governance should be ensured in a manner that the good of the largest number of people is done, without any fears or favours and same should be the objective of RTI,” he explained.
Information Commissioner Prof S K Sharma, who was guest of honour on the occasion, opined that even private establishments should be brought under the ambit of the RTI as they too receive substantial support from the public exchequer and deal with public.
Sharing some of his experiences while working with the State Information Commission, Mr Sharma admitted that owing to its limitations, the Commission was not able to take punitive action against the erring First Appellate Authority.
However, he maintained, the Commission is making all efforts to clear the backlog of cases and pendency has come down.
In his intervention at one stage, president of the Universal Foundation Dineshwar Jamwal said that even political parties need to be brought under the RTI. He said that this was important because these parties are entirely funded by the public through donations.
Noted lawyer and activist Sheikh Shakeel said that the RTI Act has helped in creating awareness among the masses. “It has put the fear of God among the corrupt bureaucrats, as also politicians,” he said and stressed that misuse of the Act is something that needs to be nipped in the bud. However, he also pointed out that only those people can be subjected to blackmailing who have some skeletons in their cupboards.
Advocate Anwar Choudhary presented vote of thanks.
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