Budgam, Feb 23: Despite passing of more than 50 days, the Public Information Officer (PIO) at Chief Education Office Budgam did not reply to an application filed under Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2009.
In the RTI query, this reporter had sought information about utilization of funds, decline of students’ roll in government schools of Budgam district etc., but was not provided information on different pretexts.
Interestingly, after receiving RTI application from post office, the concerned PIO called the appellant and invited him for tea, probably in order to make a deal for withdrawing query.
When the offer of tea was declined, PIO was politely asked to supply information within stipulated time, to which he agreed.
However, when stipulated time (30 days as per RTI) passed, the appellant contacted PIO through phone calls, but he either did not answer or his number could not be contacted.
Fortunately, on last Friday, the PIO answered the call. When asked why the appellant was not given information, he said, “Reply is ready I will forward it to you. I couldn’t send earlier as I was busy. I thought you are like my son and delaying RTI won’t create any problem for me.”
It is worth mentioning that this reporter has no relation or connection with the said PIO.
