‘Strengthen implementation, provisions of RTI Act’

Srinagar, Feb 20: Prominent RTI activist and Chairman of J&K Peoples Forum, MM Shuja, has appealed to the Government of Jammu & Kashmir to strengthen the provisions and implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2005 to ensure greater accountability and transparency in the administration.

In a statement, Shuja criticised several Public Information Officers (PIOs) for denying or unnecessarily delaying the supply of information to applicants.

He expressed concern that even after sixteen years of the RTI Act being in force, some PIOs in various departments are willfully delaying information. He further observed that certain PIOs, due to lack of adequate knowledge and training, are misinterpreting the clauses of the Act to avoid furnishing information. Shuja urged the Chief Secretary to organise regular workshops and interactive training sessions for PIOs working across different departments to enhance their understanding of the Act and ensure its effective implementation.