Srinagar, Aug 30: A fresh controversy has erupted over replacing the RTI Rules 2010, with Chief Information Commissioner joining the protest.
Hours after Government notified the RTI Rules 2012, the CIC GR Sufi said, “As Chief Information Commissioner, I do concede that Government has powers to make Rules. But as citizen of this state and country, I do have a right to ask what were the reasons which led the Government to almost abolish the entire Rules. What happened which necessitated the sweeping changes.”
Since the constitution of the State Information Commission, Sufi has passed some landmark judgments which forced the Government to disclose information about human rights violations and other subjects. Recently, Sufi directed the state Government to divulge detailed information about unmarked graves and encounters that took place in last 22 years.
Dissociating the Commission from today’s development, the CIC said, “The Commission had only recommended bringing the fee structure at par with Central Act, besides a few administrative changes.”
Sufi appealed the civil society and ‘people interested in bringing transparency in the state’ to get the earlier Rules restored.
“The Commission used to proudly proclaim that this state Government had the privilege of passing such Rules which ensured transparency and accountability. The Commission would appeal the Government and the Opposition to restore the earlier Rules,” he said.
Repeated attempts to get the version of General Administration Department and Law Department on the issue proved futile as the officials from both the departments refused to speak on the matter.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 30 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 30 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST