RTIM commemorates International Access to Information Day

Srinagar, Sep 28: The Jammu and Kashmir RTI Movement commemorated International Access to Information Day on Saturday, celebrated worldwide on September 28.

The programme was held in association with Peace School Nagam Chadoora.

While addressing the students and teachers of Peace School, Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, Chairman of the Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement, provided a historical background of the access to information law in India, explaining how it was enacted following the landmark Supreme Court judgment in the Raj Narayan v. Union of India case.

He detailed the provisions of the RTI Act 2005 and urged both students and faculty to utilize this law, not only to hold government officials accountable but also to enhance their understanding of participatory democracy.

This year’s theme for International Access to Information Day is “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector.”

Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat urged public authorities, particularly designated Public Information Officers (PIOs), to avoid making RTI applicants wait for 30 days to receive information, as section 7 of the RTI Act clearly states that PIOs must provide information as expeditiously as possible.

“It has become a habit for PIOs to provide information after 30 days, even when it is already available and does not need to be created or collected,” he said.

Several eminent speakers also addressed the occasion, including Dr Rouf Mohiuddin, Director of Koshish; Athar Pravaiz Mir, Chairman of Peace School Nagam; Administrator Ajaz Jalal; Mushtaq Ahmed, Coordinator of the RTI Movement in Budgam; Shabir Ahmed Bhat, Coordinator of Pratham; and social activist Amir Khan.