JAMMU, July 22, 2026 — In a strong indictment of the implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Act in Jammu and Kashmir, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has initiated penalty proceedings against officers across several public authorities. The transparency watchdog found prima facie violations, including the failure to furnish information, ignoring statutory timelines, and defying appellate orders.
The CIC issued a series of back-to-back orders directing show-cause proceedings under Section 20 of the RTI Act against officials from various departments. The departments facing the heat include the Directorate of Health Services Jammu, the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Rajouri, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the Deputy Commissioner’s Office Jammu, the Block Development Office Bhaderwah, and the Municipal Committee Sumbal.
“Deemed Refusal” and Lack of Accountability
During the hearings, the Commission observed a disturbing pattern: public authorities either entirely failed to respond to RTI applications within the mandated time frame prescribed under Section 7(1) of the Act, furnished the required information only after the Commission’s direct intervention, or could not produce any proof that replies were ever dispatched to the applicants.
The CIC ruled that such conduct essentially amounts to a “deemed refusal” to provide information, completely defeating the fundamental purpose of the transparency law.
In cases involving the Directorate of Health Services Jammu and the Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Rajouri, the CIC heavily questioned whether the RTI replies were ever sent to the applicants. The Commission noted that no proof of dispatch was presented, and the complainants only learned of the alleged replies during the CIC hearings.
Holding that these circumstances indicated a prima facie obstruction of a citizen’s right to information, the Commission directed the Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) and the Medical Superintendent to submit cogent responses explaining why strict action should not be initiated against them.
Growing Concerns Over Transparency Deficit
The CIC also took strict exception to the conduct at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Jammu regarding the non-furnishing of information related to land records (Fards) issued by the Tehsildar Bahu. Furthermore, the Commission reprimanded the CPIO for failing to attend the hearing without seeking prior leave, disregarding explicit instructions in the notice of hearing.
These stringent orders signal the Commission’s growing concern over the repeated and systemic violations of the RTI Act by public authorities across Jammu and Kashmir. The erring officers now face potential monetary penalties if they fail to satisfactorily explain their lapses during the scheduled show-cause hearings.
Published by True Roots Media Network