NVI Correspondent
Jammu, Jan 10 (NVI): In a landmark move towards fostering transparency and accountability in governance, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today launched the Jammu & Kashmir Right to Information (RTI) Online Portal at the Civil Secretariat.
This digital initiative, developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) Jammu and Kashmir, represents a paradigm shift in simplifying the RTI process for citizens across the Union Territory.
The launch event was graced by several dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Cabinet Ministers Sakeena Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana, and Javed Ahmad Dar, as well as Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, and senior government officials.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Omar Abdullah lauded the efforts of the team behind the portal, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize the accessibility of government information. “This initiative will empower citizens by providing them with a faster, more transparent, and cost-efficient mechanism to access information under the RTI Act,” he said.
He further urged government authorities to ensure widespread awareness about the portal to enable maximum citizen engagement.
The RTI Online Portal eliminates the traditional dependence on physical applications by allowing citizens to submit requests, track their status, and receive responses electronically. A key feature is the issuance of a unique registration number to applicants via SMS and email, ensuring easy tracking of applications.
During the event, Secretary General Administration Department (GAD) M. Raju presented the portal’s key features, highlighting its user-friendly interface, streamlined RTI workflow, cost efficiency, and role in promoting government accountability.
The portal covers 61 government departments, connecting 272 nodal officers/public authorities, 720 First Appellate Authorities (FAAs), and 3,419 Central and Public Information Officers (CPIOs/PIOs). This comprehensive integration ensures that citizens have seamless access to government activities and decisions.
The initiative underscores the J&K government’s commitment to modernizing governance through technological innovation, empowering its citizens, and strengthening democratic principles. (News Vibes of India)
