Ensure proper mechanism to handle RTI pleas: CIC to UGC

Irked by the poor handling of RTI petitions at University Grants Commission, the CIC has directed the UGC chief to ensure that a proper mechanism is evolved for better implementation of the transparency law by the country's higher education regulator.
The case relates to an RTI application filed by one Rajasekaran M Namakkal who sought to known information on eight points related to private engineering college -- M Kumarasamy College of Engineering -- from the UGC office here.
The application was transferred to UGC office in Hyderabad while one copy was sent to the principal of the college for providing a response.

During the hearing it came to light that the application was being transferred from one office to another. In the absence of the appellant, his views could not be ascertained.
"In the past, we have brought it to the notice of Chairman, UGC, the fact that provisions of the RTI Act are not being sincerely implemented by the UGC. In the instant case, the RTI has been tossed back and forth between UGC, New Delhi and UGC RO Hyderabad, with neither of the offices making any effort in providing a response," Information Commissioner Rajiv Mathur noted.
He said although the RTI was filed on April 15, 2013, the Public Information Officer (PIO) failed to provide any information.

"A copy of this order be marked to Chairman UGC, Prof Ved Prakash, with directions to ensure that a proper mechanism is evolved in UGC for implementation of the RTI Act and the individuals appearing before the Commission are able to present a complete picture rather than confining themselves to their respective sections.
"We also direct the Chairman under section 19 (8) of the RTI Act to ensure that proper training is provided to the staff allocated the work of RTI so that the provisions of the Act are implemented both in letter and spirit," Mathur said.