Early Times Report
Srinagar, July 2: A poor villager had to surrender some vital information pertaining to Revenue department as he was asked to deposit a whooping amount of Rs 2.56 lakhs as fees under J&K Land Revenue Act as well as J&K RTI Act before the office of Deputy Commissioner Poonch for getting the some revenue extracts .
Details available with Early Times reveal that one Abdul Aziz S/O Feroz Din a resident of Surankote Poonch filed 2nd appeal before the State Information Commission (SIC) on 20-04-2016, stating that he filed an RTI application before PIO in the office of Deputy Commissioner, Poonch on 30-11-2015, seeking information on seven points related to Land Revenue records. The information seeker alleges that till 19-04-2016, i.e., date of filing 2nd appeal in the Commission, no information was provided by the respondents ie office of the DC Poonch and respective Tehsildars.
On 13.6.2016 while hearing this case the State Information Commission (SIC) heard Mohammad Sageer, Naib Tehsildar, Haveli, Mohammad Ayub, Naib Tehsildar, Surankote and Abid Hussain, Naib Tehsildar, Mandi through video conferencing from NIC, Poonch. Appellant Abdul Aziz did not attend, although notice was issued to him by SIC to attend hearing through video conferencing from NIC, Poonch.
In compliance to the directions of the State Information Commission (SIC) dated: 12-045-2016, Dr. Gurvinderjeet Singh Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) who is also PIO in the office of Deputy Commissioner, Poonch filed a reply/counter statement dated: 24-05-2016, stating that first appeal filed before First Appellate Authority (FAA) Deputy Commissioner, Poonch was disposed of by the DC Poonch vide order dated: 02-02-2016 with direction to all the Tehsildars (PIOs') to provide information to the information seeker within 15 days. Accordingly, during proceedings on 27-05-2016, Tehsildars of Haveli, Mandi, Surankote, Mankote, Balakote and Mendhar were directed to file compliance report before the State Information Commission (SIC) within one week.
During proceedings on 13-06-2016 via video conferencing , respondents submitted that appellant was asked to deposit fee as photocopy charges, as prescribed under J&K Land Revenue Act vide various references. Respondents submitted copy of letter dated: 13-06-2016, addressed to Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, wherein, it is stated that in compliance to directions of FAA/Deputy Commissioner, appellant was required to attend office of Tehsildar, Surankote vide letter dated: 31-05-2016 for scrutiny of records, as the record sought were voluminous and not readily available in the office. The applicant was asked to deposit an amount of Rs. 2,56,550 (Two Lakh Fifty Six Thousand , Five Hundred and Fifty rupees only) as photocopy charges for Revenue Extract, as per J&K Land Revenue Act. However, applicant submitted a representation, stating that he is unable to deposit requisite fee and as such he does not want to obtain information under RTI Act. Respondents produced/submitted copy of communication of the appellant dated: 11-06-2016 as evidence.
SIC order dated 13.6.2016 reads as :
"Appellant neither attended the Commission nor has filed any written argument before the Commission. In view of the aforesaid facts and on perusal of communication of appellant dated: 11.06-2016, it is evident that he does not want to obtain information, as he is unable to deposit the requisite fee. Therefore, appeal filed before the Commission is dismissed."
While talking to Early Times Mohammad Ramzan Khan General Secretary of J&K RTI Movement said : "Due to lack of information and knowledge Abdul Aziz had to surrender the vital information about Revenue department .Had he asked the PIO (ADC Poonch) that he would like to undertake inspection of the said Revenue record under section 2 (i) of J&K RTI Act 2009 , the information seeker would have selected the actual documents which he needed. He would not had to pay huge fees also. It is need of the hour that before seeking any information under RTI Act , information seekers should be well versed with the provisions of J&K RTI Act 2009". |
