: CIC seeks explanation from JKAS officer, two other PIOs; warns of penal action #IndiaNEWS #Todays story Deliberate obstruction in dissemination of information Serious note taken of non-participation

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CIC seeks explanation from JKAS officer, two other PIOs; warns of penal action #IndiaNEWS #Todays story
Deliberate obstruction in dissemination of information
Serious note taken of non-participation in hearings
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 6: Central Information Commission (CIC) has sought explanation from Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer and two other Public Information Officers (PIOs) for deliberate obstruction in dissemination of information under the Right to Information Act. Moreover, the Commission has taken serious note of non-participation in the hearings by the officers even after being served advance notice.
The case before the Central Information Commission was that the complainant had filed an RTI application dated August 1, 2018 seeking copies of all the instructions given and interim orders issued by the Government/competent authorities in respect of migrant property in Srinagar district, benefits of reservation in educational institutions and issuance of migrant certificate etc.
However, there was no satisfactory reply from the Public Information Officer in the Department of Disaster Manag-ement, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction and this led to filing of first appeal before the First Appellate Authority, who in the order mentioned: the appeal has been rejected on the grounds that due procedure has not been followed.
Aggrieved and dissatisfied, the complainant approached the Central Information Commission and upon perusal of the facts of the case, Chief Information Commissioner Y K Sinha observed, the respondent PIO in the department has neither appeared nor deputed any official to attend the hearing on her behalf, adding the unexplained absence of the respondent has thus vitiated the proceedings.
Accordingly, the Commission has sought explanation from Anjali Fotedar (JKAS), Deputy Secretary in the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabil-itation and Reconstruction for her absence which has rendered the hearing infructuous and thereby contravening the provisions of the RTI Act. “The explanation should reached the Commission by March 31, 2022 failing which appropriate action will be initiated as per the law and on the basis of available records, the Chief Information Commissioner has mentioned in the order.
Another case before the Commission was that the complainant had approached the PIO in the office of District Disaster Management Authority Srinagar seeking information pertaining to the COVID-19 mitigation and prevention efforts undertaken by the Authority since nationwide lockdown announced on March 23, 2020.
However, no information was provided to the information seeker, who accordingly knocked the doors of the Central Information Commission, which issued notices to the concerned authorities including the PIO.

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