Nasir Azam
Srinagar, Jan 09: Beginning implementation of central Right to Information Act, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday directed all departments to appoint Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities under the central law.
The General Administration Department (GAD) today directed all public authorities in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to appoint Public Information Officers (PIOs) and First Appellate authorities under Right to Information Act- 2005.
“Consequent to repeal of the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009 and application of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Central Act) to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir by Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, all the Public Authorities are mandated to appoint Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities in terms of the Central Act, Accordingly, all the Public Authorities in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall appoint Public Information Officers and First Appellate Authorities in all administrative units/offices, in terms of Right to Information Act, 2005,” reads the order issued by GAD Secretary Farooq Ahmad Lone, accessed by KNO.
The re-organization of Jammu and Kashmir led to repeal of more than 164 (153 plus 11) laws including Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act-2009, which was enacted during NC- Congress regime headed by Omar Abdullah. It is worthwhile to mention here that J&K government had constituted a committee to examine applicability of central RTI Act in the UT.
A committee has suggested opening of branch office of Central Information Commission reasoning that Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is spread over vast area in comparison to other Union Territories.
