State Information Commission (SIC), a primer institutions aimed to curb corruption in the State through its flow of information, continues to remain headless even after the new government was formed on April 4, this year.The delay by authorities to initiate the process for appointment of new chairman and other members is allowing RTI Act to die silent death.The former CIC, GR Sufi, completed his term on February 29 this year while the post of one State Information Commissioner was already vacant.As the state was under Governor’s Rule at the time CIC retired, it was not possible to appoint new one due to procedure to be followed for his (New CIC) appointment.The need to appoint new CIC and another Commissioner, according to RTI activist, is need of an hour so that people could use RTI act effectively.Former CIC, Sufi while speaking at seminar at Central University of Kashmir organized to commemorate 7 years of Jammu & Kashmir RTI Act 2009 had said that constitution of SIC was very essential for ensuring good governance.Former Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) G R Sufi had earlier revealed that he spoke to Government several times to appoint Information Commissioner after Dr S K Sharma retired from the Information Commission last year in October.
“After retirement of State Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) G R Sufi and Dr S K Sharma, the State Information Commission (SIC) has almost become defunct and this is creating a big hurdle for non implementation of RTI Act. Lots of cases are pending before Information Commission. One commissioner alone can't do justice with so many pending appeals and complaints. We appeal Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for her immediate intervention so that these vacancies are filled as soon as possible,” Dr Raja Muzafar Bhat, Founder of J&K RTI Movement told KNS.“Under the provisions of J&K RTI Act 2009 the Information Commissioners and Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) can only be appointed by the Governor when the selection committee consisting of CM , Leader of Opposition , and one cabinet Minister nominated by CM recommends the suitable candidate. The elected government must initiative the process in interest of public and large and appoint CIC and another Commissioner,” he added.“It is very sad that the elected Government could not short list the names of probable Information Commissioners after Dr S K Sharma retired in October 2015. They had almost 3 months until death of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Syed to appoint new Information Commissioner. But now we demand immediate appointment of these posts “said Balvinder Singh Convener of Jammu based Sangharsh RTI Movement.Presently, the SIC has only one Commissioner.“The delay in appointment of new members to SIC has discouraged information seekers and encouraged corrupt officials to deny information to applicants on one pretext or another,” said a group of RTI activities.“The fact is that the act is dying its silent death due to official apathy,” they added. (KNS)