Advocate General stresses on information passage to public – The information can be obtained by public under the RTI,

 

Advocate General stresses on information passage to public

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Advocate General Altaf Hussain Naik today said secrecy cannot be cited as a ground by the public authorities to deny information to citizens in every matter.

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Fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under the constitution is dependent upon passage of correct information. The information can be obtained by public under the RTI, Naik said while speaking at a discussion on Right to Information Act, a step towards greater accountability and transparency here today.

The discussion, organised by J and K regional branch of Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), was attended by the Commissioner Vigilance Ashok Bhan who is also Honorary Secretary IIPA and Deputy Inspector General (Vigilance) R R Swain.

Naik said the Supreme Court laid the foundation of this right in 1975 through its several judgements.

Bhan during question-answer session stated that right to information cannot succeed and put to extensive use without making the citizens aware about the provisions of the Act.

He said organising the discussion was a small step of the IIPA supported by the state vigilance organization in spreading awareness about the noble intentions of the RTI Act in fighting corruption and bringing in greater accountability and transparency in public administration.

Responding to allegations of arbitrary decisions in the vigilance organization itself, Bhan said the organization has of late put in very stringent and vigorous systems to vet various issues pending before it.