In order to commemorate nine years of RTI Act in the State, Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement in association with Abdul Ahad Azad Memorial Degree College Bemina organized a seminar here today.The seminar titled ‘9 years of RTI Act in J&K’ was attended by Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), Khurshid Ahmad Ganai as chief guest and by former Chief Information Commissioner G R Sufi and Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Syed Abid Rashid Shah along with a large number of RTI activists and students.The CIC said that awareness level on RTI Act is still very less and more and more programmes on awareness generation need to be organized across the state. He congratulated RTI Movement Founder Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat and Principal Degree College Bemina for organizing the seminar.G R Sufi former CIC said that RTI is a Powerful tool that strengthens democracy and promotes good governance by enhancing People’s participation.
On the occasion, DC Srinagar said that government money is taxpayers’ money and people have full right to seek details of funds being spent on different developmental works. He urged upon students not to be a pessimist and work hard to achieve their goals in life.Dr Raja Muzaffar said that RTI is a tool in the hands of disadvantaged people which has empowered common citizens across the state. He urged upon the government to fulfil its legal obligation of creating RTI awareness across the State.Later, CIC Khurshid Ganai, G R Sufi, DC Srinagar and Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat formally launched the campaign ‘RTI for Environment’ wherein RTI Movement plans to make rigorous use of RTI in 2018 for seeking information on environmental issues.