Half-hearted attempt: Tarigami on amendment to J&K RTI Act

Srinagar, Sep 1 (UNI) CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has termed as ''half-hearted'' attempt by the government to bring a Bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2004.

The Bill was passed by a voice vote in the state Legislative Assembly yesterday.

Mr Tarigami said the Bill should have been sent to a select committee of the House as suggested by Leader of the Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather for additional provisions.

He said the changes brought about in the Bill were only ''cosmetic'' and the basic law remains to be the same.

The CPI(M) leader expressed surprise over the fact that the judiciary has been kept out of the purview of the Bill.

''When I had introduced a private members' resolution seeking amendment to the Act during the last Assembly session, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had assured the House that the government would bring the amendment on the lines of my suggestions...But that has not been done,'' he added.

He said a Chief Minister should not be given the authority beyond a limit as far as the nomination of members was concerned.

Mr Tarigami also sought compensation for the loss of time by a student, a job-seeker and a trader in seeking an information. Also, reasons should not be given for seeking an information, he added.

UNI