RTI ACT A REVOLUTIONARY LEGISLATION

J&K Regional Branch of IIPA today organised a Workshop on “RTI Act-Expectations and Achievements” in collaboration with State Information Commission for different stake holders including PIOs/Controlling Officers and Common Citizens.

In his inaugural address the Chief Information Commissioner Shri G.R.Sufi termed the RTI Act as something revolutionary to empower the common citizens. He emphasized that after the initial infancy period the time had come to start using the Act more seriously. He cautioned that RTI can only provide information and not Justice as far as public services or public actions are concerned. Of course, disclosure of information does make public servants more accountable. He also suggested that the legislature must also have a relook at the provisions of the Act based on experience of these years.

Dr S.K.Sharma, State Information Commissioner, traced the history and development of Right to Information as a fundamental right before coming in to existence of RTI Act. He also chaired a panel discussion in which eminent legal luminaries participated.

Dr Ashok Bhan, Chairman of the Regional Branch, in his welcome address raised some important issues, which were addressed by other speakers during the workshop. He emphasized on the mean for voluntary disclosures of more and more Information so that most of the information is available in Public domain. Dr Bhan was in favour of harmonizing the paramount of right to information with conflicting interests of efficient running of the Government and use of its limited physical resources, as enshrined in the preamble of RTI Act and also outlined the objective of holding this workshop as the time to take stock of the expectations of the common citizens from this legislation and what has been achieved?

The other speaker during the workshop included legal luminaries like Shri D.C.Raina, Former Advocate General, Shri Sheikh Shakeel Ahmad, Sr. Advocate, Shri B.L.Saraf former Session Judge and Prof V.K.Kapoor.

Speakers were of the view that the Act has indeed awakened people to their rights. There are teething troubles but with passage of time the precedences and Judgments from Courts and Commission will make implementation of the Act smoother.

The workshop was attended by more than 190 PIOs/Controlling Officers from various government departments, Citizens and IIPA members.

The workshop was followed by lively discussion between the stake holders- citizens, PIOs and the Commission. A number of clarifications were sought by the PIOs about the laws and the proceedings.

Important recommendations included relook at the procedures, infrastructure for PIOs to carry out their responsibilities efficiently, establishing an award for best PIOs/Controlling Officers and Citizens who contribute in successful implementation of RTI, setting up of a helpline/online facility so that PIOs/Controlling Officers can seek clarifications on the day to day problems faced by them.

The proceedings of the workshop were conducted by Prof Alka Sharma, Director Seminar IIPA and Vote of thanks was presented by Hony. Secretary Shri J.B.S.Johar.