[HumJanenge-YG] Re: KU: Ignorant of rules, PIO returns RTI Application - Early Times - 11 Nov. 2010

Dear Mr Bhat

Kashmir University is substantially financed by the University Grants
Commission by Central funds.

So does this mean that citizens of India not resident in J&K cannot
DIRECTLY apply to Kashmir University under the RTI Act 2005 (Central)
to seek to know how these funds are being used, and since they are not
allowed to use J&K RTI Act 2009 ?

Sarbajit

On Nov 13, 7:14 am, Muzaffar Bhat <humjanenge.ow...@gmail.com> wrote:
> http://www.earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=62900
>
> Early Times Report
> Jammu/Srinagar: Nov 11
>
> Shying away from the transparency law and also in an attempt to
> misinform, desist and demoralize RTI applicants, Public Information
> Officer of Kashmir University has returned an RTI application with a
> frivolous argument.
>
> An RTI application dated October 17, has been rejected and returned to
> the applicant for want of a Bank Draft instead of Indian Postal Order.
> The applicant Raman Sharma, (known RTI campaigner) has attached Indian
> Postal Order No. 34G 188096 of Rs. 50 as fees along with his RTI
> application. The ground of rejection has been stated in the rejection
> letter dated November 1 issued and signed by the PIO as, "This is to
> inform you that the application cannot be entertained due to deficit
> of requirement under RTI, Act, 2006. It is therefore; requested to
> please deposit an amount of Rs. 50 through bank draft".
> Raman Sharma, who has put more than 300 applications under Central RTI
> Act 2005 and J & K RTI Act 2009, castigated the decision of the Public
> Information Officer, terming it as a conspiracy against the most
> essential civil right i.e. RTI Act.
>
> He told that in all his 300 plus previous RTI applications he had
> submitted fees in shape of Indian Postal Order and none of the PIO
> objected on this matter.
>
> Now in return, the disappointed activist in a communication letter
> addressed to the PIO Kashmir University has advised the PIO to go
> through the RTI Act properly, his letter reads as "There is no Act
> known as RTI, Act, 2006; the applicant takes this opportunity to
> enlighten the knowledge of the PIO that there are only 2 RTI acts one
> known as RTI Act 2005, central act and the other is J & K RTI Act 2009
> and the esteemed institution of Kashmir University comes under the
> purview and mean of the latter act. Now through this letter I request
> you to kindly devote some time to re-read the J & K RTI Act 2009 for
> sincere dealing of RTI applications".
>
> The RTI activist, Raman Sharma explained that under the Jammu and
> Kashmir RTI Rules 2010, page 3, chapter III, rule 4(1) related to fee
> and cost there is provision that an application may be submitted in
> shape of IPO/Bank Draft or Bankers Cheque. Along with the letter and
> RTI application he has also sent a copy of RTI rules to the concerned
> PIO.
> He said the reason specified for rejection of his RTI application
> depicts that the in Jammu and Kashmir state PIO's make every possible
> attempt to disallow information. He also informed that his application
> would unveil many important issues related toKashmir University and as
> such he would strive hard to get the reply by all means. Convener, J K
> RTI Movement, Dr. Muzaffar Bhat also criticized the University
> administration for delaying tactics in dealing with the RTI
> applications.