'All organisations dealing with public come under RTI purview'

Srinagar, May 29: Chief Information Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir G R Sofi has said all the government institutions and organisations which have public dealing including NGOs come under the purview of the Right to Information Act.

"Not only government institutions are accountable under RTI Act but those dealing with public like NGOs and charity trusts are also covered under the Act," Sofi said addressing a workshop on RTI awareness in Budgam district on Saturday, May 28.

The workshop was attended by Public Information Officers and Assistant Public Information Officers of various departments in the district. He said Jammu and Kashmir is fortunate to have RTI Act which came into force from 2009.

Replying to questions, Sofi asked the PIOs and the concerned officers to provide all the required information to the applicants under this act, whether it is regarding development or welfare schemes, without any delay.

He said any person, who desires to seek any information regarding public interest, has a right to know after completing the procedure.

Sofi asked the public information officers and APIOs to provide information to the applicants within the stipulated time and warned officers, who fail to do so, of strict action under rules.

He said the common man is now aware about his rights and monitors the functioning of the departments.

PTI