Respect RTI, keep posted with rules, regulations to gain efficiency

The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal on Wednesday called upon Administrative Officers (AOs) to respect Right to Information (RTI)Act and keep themselves posted with rules and regulations laid down under the Act to improve their efficiency in delivering goods.

The Divisional Commissioner was addressing a group of officers drawn from various departments to undergo one month foundation course to be conducted by J&K Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development Jammu, Regional Office.

The one month course would focus on improving the operational and managerial efficiency, capacity building and revenue administration, besides acquainting participants with new trends in the public administration and use of latest technology in administration, including e-governance.

Elaborating on the history of public administration in India and its evolution till date, the Divisional Commissioner said that introduction of RTI has added new dimensions to the whole concept public participation in governance, as the Act is going to be a great moving force in shaping the working of bureaucracy . He said with the implementation of RTI, it is public participatory administration that is in becoming.

The Divisional Commissioner asked the officers to keep themselves posted with rules and regulations under the Act, particularly those in revenue administration to be effective and efficient in delivering the service. He told the officers to avoid going by conventions, a tendency generally found in the officers and modify their functioning with the charging times.

Elaborating further on the ambitious RTI Act, he said it is going to be a strong tool in the hand of public to keep a check on the functioning of the administration.

Dr. Kotwal also advised the newly inducted Kashmir Administrative Officers not to have reservations in working with different departments. He said those sticking to a particular post for years are actually at great loss as working with different departments adds to their experience and improves efficiency.

The Divisional Commissioner hoped that the one month course would refresh and strengthen the knowledge of seniors and help new officers to acquaint themselves with the new trends in the administration.

Among others, Professor Indu Aima, Faculty of Communication & Behavioural Science, Ms Manju Kapoor Faculty of Financial Management and other staff members were also present on the occasion.

Vote of thanks was presented by Ms. Sunita Anand, Deputy Director, IMPA Regional Centre, Jammu.