Jammu & Kashmir

Sharp decline in RTI applications in JK, reveals report

A wide view of Lal Chowk Srinagar, Kashmir. [Photo: [Wikimedia]

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir recorded a sharp decline in the number of applications filed with different departments under the Right to Information Act-2005 in 2021-22, a report by a transparency panel said on Tuesday.

According to an analysis of the Central Information Commission (CIC) annual report for 2021-22 by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Jammu and Kashmir administration reported a 31.44% decline in RTI applications received in 2021-22 as compared to 2020-21.

“Among the UTs, Jammu and Kashmir reported a 31.44% decline in the number of RTI receipts in 2021-22 (1,099) as compared with the 2020-21 figure (1,603),” the CHRI said in its findings.

The CHRI findings accessed by news agency Kashmir News Observer, further reveal that although Jammu and Kashmir reported only 94 RTI applications carried over from 2020-21, it was nevertheless a 683.33% increase over the 2019-20 figure (12 RTI applications).

The CHRI further said that JK reported a sharp decline in the proportion of RTIs transferred by PIOs in 2021-22 as compared to 2020-21.

In 2021-22, 4.73% RTI applications were transferred in JK while it was 38.74% in 2020-21, the CHRI said.

It is pertinent to mention that Central Right to Information Act-2005 became applicable in Jammu and Kashmir after the GoI effected constitutional changes in 2019. Before these changes, Jammu and Kashmir had its own RTI law.

Click to comment
To Top