This refers to the recent order issued by Ministry of Personnel Government of India which states that IAS officers have to declare their assets publicly once they get promoted. This is is a great decision but it reminds me of a story published in Greater Kashmir last month wherein General Administration Department (GAD) of J&K Government had refused to provide information under RTI Act to an applicant  about the assets and annual property statement of IAS officers stating that it is Privacy Invasion & Security issue under Section 8(f) & (i) of J&K RTI Act 2009. It was so sad that even the 1st appellate authority of GAD uphold the decision of Public Information Officer (PIO) of GAD regarding this issue.
One fails to understand why security  & privacy issues are used by state bureaucracy to hide their misdeeds? Now when Govt of India is ordering the IAS officers to declare their asset details why it isn't a security matter or privacy invasion for them now ?  Even the state High Court Judges have declared their assets and it is in public domain on JK High Court website why don't bureaucrats disclose it? It clearly indicates that IAS officers do not want to be held accountable before public in spite of the fact that RTI Act guarantees the citizens of such right. It is urged upon state Government especially Chief Minister to take a note of this important issue. In addition to it the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of J&K State Information Commission must take suo moto  cognizance of this issue wherein GAD has refused to provide information to the RTI applicant regarding assets of IAS officers on the pretext of security and privacy invasion.

Sajad Ahmad Kuchey
Amar Singh College Srinagar

Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
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