In Kashmir - IRCS Chapter Deprived Of Nearly 60% Collected Fines, RTI Discloses

Srinagar- The Jammu and Kashmir government has collected over Rs 1 crore as fine from people in Srinagar for violating Covid norms; however, the Indian Redcross Society chapter was deprived of nearly 60 percent of the collected fines, an RTI application has revealed.

The data obtained by Dr. Muzaffar Bhat reveals that while J&K deposited Rs 1,05,38,620 as penalty money in government treasury, only Rs 43,88,060 of the penalty amount was deposited to Red Cross despite the fact that most of the fine receipts belonged to IRCS.

“Total amount of penalty money recovered from 27th March 2020 to 1st March 2022 and deposited in Govt. Treasury under proper receipts in rupees is Rs. 1,05,38,620.” reads the reply by DDMO Srinagar.

However, out of the Rs 43,88,060 deposited to Red Cross, “Rs 36, 97,365 was the amount provided as relief out of red cross to poor people/victims of other disasters”.

Notably, the RTI activists had sought details under the RTI from all the DCs of the valley but only the details provided to him were forwarded by the Srinagar administration.