Universities must not charge more than Rs 2 per page of the copy of answer sheet
Central Information Commission (CIC): CIC has directed all
Universities, including deemed Universities in India to provide copy of answer
sheet at cost of Rs 2 per page. The Commission also directed Delhi University
to accept RTI applications from the date of results declaration throughout the
period of retention of record. Said order of CIC came upon an appeal filed by
an RTI applicant questioning the regulation of Delhi University which enables
University to impose unreasonable timeframes and cost constraints on their
right to secure copy of answer sheet. In pursuance to a notification issued by
Examination Branch of Delhi University, students can seek the copies of the
answer sheet by paying Rs 750 per paper only from 61st day to 75th
day after release of results. In his appeal, applicant sought information about
fee and reasons for collecting huge fee and also contended that the time taken
and cost being charged by the University was against the Act and also the
judgment of Supreme Court in CBSE v Aditya Bandopadhyay, (2011) 8 SCC 497.
After perusal of the abovementioned judgment along with many more judgments of
Supreme Court and High Courts, CIC observed that prescribing unreasonable cost
and time constraint amounts to complete denial of information to the students
on grounds of their economic status, which is in violation of Article 14, 15
and 16 of the Constitution of India. “It is very sad that educational
institution like university is not mindful of the basic fact and they are going
on denying information to the students, by imposing high cost, which means if
you cannot afford, you cannot access. Thus, charging of Rs 750 per answer sheet
will amount to breach of sections 3, 6 and 7 of the RTI Act,” the Commission
noted. Commission further noted that the high cost of Rs 750 per paper for
securing copy of answer sheet and time conditions such that appellant has to
approach only after 61 days and before 75 days after result declared will
unreasonably restrict the right to access to his own answer book and breakup of
marks awarded. While observing that Delhi University or any other university or
public authority for that matter cannot ignore or bypass the mandate of Indian
Parliament given in Right to Information Act, CIC recommended the members of
the Executive Council to change the rule concerning the answer sheet. CIC also
directed the University Grant Commission (UGC) and Association of Indian
Universities to circulate, publicize and insist on implementation of this order
in all academic and examining bodies. [Abne
Ingty v. Delhi
University, 2016
SCC OnLine CIC 71, decided on January 15, 2016]
Source | www.scconline.com
Regards
Pralhad Jadhav
Senior Manager @ Library
Khaitan & Co
Upcoming Event | National
Conference on Future Librarianship: Innovation for Excellence (NCFL 2016)
during April 22-23, 2016.
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