Truth - Journalism

PULWAMA — After news report of public interest based on complaints of people is noticed by the officials in this southern district of Pulwama, they don’t waste even a minute to issue a “rebuttal” without bothering to ascertain the facts and taking appropriate actions.

In the latest development, a ‘rebuttal’ message is being circulated, mostly on WhatsApp, in which the Tehsildar Pulwama is being quoted as having said that the complaints of people are fake and the news report is totally fake.

The story filed by news agency KNT, titled, “Money charged from applicants for ‘Domicile certificates’ in south Kashmir” was published after it was alleged by the applicants that Internet cafes were charging more that what they should as well as the fact that Rs 50 were being charged at Tehsil Office.

A lower-rung employee had said that the amount was charged as donation for Red Cross but it was not compulsory. However, an applicant later contested his statement.

“We were not told that the payment of Rs 50 was optional. Besides, they gave receipts to only those people who enquired about the purpose of such charges,” Sakeena Jabeen, a female applicant, said.

The officials have become habitual of merely issuing rebuttals instead of verifying facts and taking corrective measures.

Previously, it was CMO Pulwama who issued a rebuttal, labelling a public complaint as fake news. The official dared to say so even when the video of the incident clearly showed lapses on the part of medical team sent for the burial of a COVID-19 victim.

Kashmir News Trust (KNT) is committed to report about issues concerning people and makes every effort to reach out to the people in power to get their version of the stories. However, the officials, on their part, should also view the complaints as a form of feedback and act accordingly.

The bureaucracy should stop being the ‘big boss’ for journalism and let the journalists do their job which is to report people’s issues without any fear or favour.

Version of Tehsildar Pulwama:

Tehsildar Pulwama has categorically refuted the fake news being circulated in a section of social media that money is being charged from applicants for issuance of Domicile certificates.

Tehsildar, while refuting the news content, said that no money or any kind of fee is charged for issuance of Domicile certificates. He said that Domicile certificates can be applied online or offline besides the process being very simple and certificates are issued free of cost.

He added that if the complainant shares further details, it can be ascertained which private Internet kiosk has charged money for Domicile certificate. However, applicants should directly come to Tehsil office where online facility for filing of Domicile certificates is also being provided, he added.

“It is pertinent to mention that the administration is committed towards the goal of transparent and accountable Administration. Any attempt at creating a fake and false counter-narrative of spreading baseless rumours and malicious propaganda shall be aptly dealt with,” he said.

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