Appellant: Conflicting information regarding the selected list of candidates on the university website - CIC: Respondent failed to claim proper exemption Sections for the denial of information on the basis of confidentiality; Provide a revised reply

O R D E R

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 26.11.2023 seeking information on the following points:

1. Allahabad University

Non teaching Notification ADVT NO AUNT/04/2021 GROUP C PHARMACIST 3 POST UROn what basis candidates 1 Mr Shubham Dixit 2.Pankaj Singh 3. Parvesh Kumar got selected for the pharmacist post as per University website dated 03-0902023

No proper update to other candidates

 No Proof of updates on University web site

No proper Mail communication form University on the posts filling

Please provide us the detail of due process followed for the recruitment with below details

Total No of application received with candidates’ names Mobile numbers Screening process of application

Proof of updates kept in website for the Above post

Exam attended candidates

Exam qualified candidates

Document verification happened date

2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 06.12.2024. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 08.03.2024. FAA’s order, if any, is not available on record.

3. Aggrieved with the non-receipt of the FAA’s order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 13.06.2024.

4. The appellant remained present through video conference and on behalf of the respondent Mr. Harivansh Singh, CPIO attended the hearing through video conference.

5. The appellant inter alia submitted that the information provided by the Respondent is partial and inconsistent. He explained that he has received conflicting information regarding the publication of the selected list of candidates on the university website. In a letter dated 01/12/2023, it was stated that the selected list of candidates was kept on the university website on 03/09/2023. However, in a subsequent letter dated 06/12/2024, it was stated that the selected list of candidates was kept on the university website on 04/09/2023. There is a one-day gap between these two letters, which creates confusion.

6. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that a suitable point wise reply was provided by the Director Faculty Recruitment Cell University of Allahabad vide letter dated 06.12.2024 as per the available records. Regarding the inconsistency of the dates raised by the Appellant, he clarified that there might be a certain modification in the dates while uploading on the website. Further certain information has been denied on point No. 3,4 and 5 of the RTI Application, being thirdparty information and on the pretext of confidentiality.

7. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both parties and perusal of records, observed that the respondent failed to claim proper exemption Sections of the RTI Act for the denial of information on the basis of confidentiality on point No. 4 and 5 of the RTI Application. Therefore, the respondent is directed to provide a revised reply on point No. 4 and 5 of the RTI Application to the Appellant within 20 days of receipt of this order, under intimation to the Commission. For the remaining points, an appropriate reply has been provided by the Respondent. Accordingly, the appeal is disposed of.

Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.

Sd/-

ANANDI RAMALINGAM

Information Commissioner

Citation: Khwaja Nawaz v. University of Allahabad, CIC/UOALD/A/2024/625368; Date of Decision: 28.03.2025