Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 22: Sangarsh RTI Movement today accused the State Government of `willfully’ making the State Information Commission defunct.
Addressing the media persons, here today, Balvinder Singh, convener of Sangarsh RTI Movement, said that because of the callous approach of the Government towards transparency and accountability, the State Information Commission in the State has become a defunct body after the retirement of lone Information Commissioner Nazir Ahmed this month. He alleged that the Government has not shown any seriousness to appoint any Information Commissioner and Chief Information Commissioner even after a year of their retirement.
“Though strengthening and implementation of RTI and providing a transparent and accountable Government was one of the main agenda in the election manifesto of both the coalition partners, it is saddened that after coming into power the same parties are leaving no stone unturned to stonewall the accountability and transparency in the Government functioning and thereby denying the common people from exercising their fundamental right to know and make the Government accountable,” he alleged.
Another RTI activist and member Sangarsh RTI Movement, Deepak Sharma said that it was surprising that the PDP, which was the only political party in the State to give information under J&K RTI Act, has taken a U turn after coming into power
It is pertinent to mention that in October 2015, Prof S K Sharma completed his term as State Information Commissioner. After four months of his retirement, Chief Information Commissioner G R Sofi also completed his tenure of office in February 2016 leaving behind only one Information Commissioner Nazir Ahmed, who also retired in November 2016, leaving behind the State Information Commission without any Information Commissioner.
The Sangarsh activists impressed upon the Government to immediately start the process of appointing the Chief Information Commissioner and two Information Commissioners so as to complete the quorum of the Commission for its effective functioning.
They further urged the Government to make the appointment of one Chief Information Commissioner and two Information Commissioners in a transparent way by calling the application from the eligible candidates, instead of making a close door appointments.
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