The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, launched an online portal on Friday for the submission, tracking, and receipt of responses to Right to Information (RTI) requests, which allows citizens to complete the entire process electronically without visiting government offices.
The RTI portal, run by the General Administration Department (GAD), has been set up to facilitate the smooth running of the RTI process. The respective departments in the entire region now handle the applications submitted under the Right to Information Act.
Chief Minister Abdullah on Facebook posted that he was thrilled about the launch, saying, “In a case of better late than never, the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir have, at last, got their own RTI portal.” He underlined that the platform would be more efficient and user-friendly for citizens, enabling them to submit requests, check their status, and receive responses entirely online.
Abdullah further emphasized that this digital shift would not only improve transparency but also promote greater accountability and governance in the region.
GAD is the Central agency in-charge of overseeing the RTI portal, while different departments will handle the applications received through this portal. Grievances for not receiving RTI or due to delay must be addressed by nodal officers of the department whose contact information is available on the portal.
Citizens can file RTI applications and appeals for public authorities listed in the RTI Online Portal. If a public authority is not listed, applicants are advised to submit their RTI requests in physical form directly to those authorities.
With inputs from PTI.