Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir RTI Foundation held a meeting today to discuss the recent announcement by the Jammu & Kashmir administration to launch an online RTI portal by December 10, 2024.
This significant initiative was lauded by members of the Foundation as a step forward in enhancing transparency and accountability in governance. However, the Foundation also raised pressing concerns about the absence of a functional Information Commission in J&K, emphasizing the need for its immediate restoration, statement issued to Ziraat Times said.
Er. Irfan Banka, Chairman of the Foundation, welcomed the announcement of the RTI portal, stating, “The establishment of the online RTI portal is a milestone for transparency in J&K. It has been a long struggle by activists through petitions, communications, media outreach, and legal action. This portal will address many challenges faced by citizens in accessing public information. However, we must stress the need to restore the Jammu & Kashmir Information Commission to resolve appeals locally and promptly once the statehood is restored, as the current delays in New Delhi undermine the RTI framework.”
Ishfaq Majeed, Media Coordinator of the Foundation, highlighted the critical role played by the media and activists in pushing for the portal’s launch.
He stated, “Media has been instrumental in bringing RTI issues to the forefront, and activists across the Union Territory have worked tirelessly to demand transparency reforms. While this portal is a victory, it is only a part of the larger goal. The restoration of the Information Commission is equally critical to ensure that citizens’ grievances are addressed efficiently.”
Arif Ismael, Trustee of the Foundation, called attention to the increasing delays in appeal resolution since the dissolution of the J&K Information Commission in 2019. He remarked, “Under the J&K RTI Act of 2009, appeals were resolved within 120 days. Today, appeals filed with the Central Information Commission often take years, leaving applicants frustrated. A functional Information Commission is indispensable for a robust RTI regime in J&K.”
The meeting was attended by key members of the Foundation, including Dr. Idrees Badrani and Mukhtar Ahmad, who reiterated the importance of a transparent and accountable governance system. They expressed concerns about the challenges faced by citizens in accessing timely information and urged the government to prioritize transparency reforms comprehensively.
The J&K RTI Foundation calls upon the government to not only ensure the successful launch of the online RTI portal but also reinstate the Jammu & Kashmir Information Commission to strengthen the transparency framework in the region once the statehood is restored. The Foundation remains committed to advocating for the rights of citizens and promoting accountability in governance.
Where shall be appellant authority here in jK or elsewhere..