CHANDIGARH: Former State Information Commissioner, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Sudesh Kumar Sharma, on Thursday said Right to Information (RTI) Act, which is a weapon to seek information, is now being misused by disgruntled people, against whom disciplinary action is initiated. He added that the very purpose behind the creation of RTI Act is being defeated. Sharma was at Panjab University (PU) to address a workshop on the theme 'RTI: Awareness Issues and Challenges' here on Thursday."Many people seek information only to pocket it. They really don't know what to do with that information. Moreover, I have also seen disgruntled people, against whom some disciplinary action is sought, seeking information under RTI just to harass people," said Sharma.Giving an example at the workshop, Sharma said that during his stint at J&K, an assistant professor at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University had filed 180 RTIs in two years against the VC and other university authorities after a disciplinary action was initiated against him. Sharing the anecdote, he said that the commission had to ultimately summon the assistant professor.The Centre for Academic Leadership and Education Management (CALEM), Panjab University under the aegis of ministry of human resource development (HRD) has organized a two-day workshop. Prof Shyam Sunder Pattnaik, director National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR); the key note speaker Dr V Vijaya Kumar, vice-chancellor, National Law Institute University, Bhopal and the guest of honour Prof Sudesh Kumar Sharma, were present during the inauguration session. Moreover, Prof Devinder Singh, secretary to vice-chancellor, and also the programme director was present too.While inaugurating the session, program coordinator Jyoti Rattan quoted Kofi Annan, "Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress in every society. Later, Prof Latika Sharma, program coordinator, introduced the audience with CALEM, Panjab University."The keynote speaker, Kumar, elaborately and effectively discussed the theme with full zeal. He said in his discussion that RTI Act is 'the first well known piece of legislation', thus signifying its awareness among masses. Further, he highlighted the loopholes of the mechanism by sharing the practicality of the Act, he kept the audience enrolled.In the second session of the day, Prof Kamaljit added about the need and relevance of RTI Act. Later, Shiv Raman Gaur, SIC, Haryana , enlightened the audience regarding appellate authorities under RTI.Shiv Raman Gaur IAS (R) State Information Commissioner Haryana on Thursday spoke on the powers and functions of appellate authorities.

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