Information about scheme for revision of pay scales of Teachers in the Universities and Colleges and other measures for maintenance of standards in higher education - CIC: PIO cautioned to remain extremely careful while handling the RTI applications
28 Feb, 2020Information Sought:
The appellant has sought the following information:
1. Provide duly attested copy of letter of Government of India dated June 17, 1987 concerning scheme for revision of pay scales of Teachers in the Universities and Colleges and other measures for maintenance of standards in higher education, to all the States and Union Territories with a request to formulate detailed proposals for the implementation of the scheme on the lines indicated in the said letter.
2. Provide duly attested copy of Circular of UGC dated February 10, 1993 granting exemption from appearing in the eligibility test to persons belonging to different categories.
3. Provide duly attested copy of Circular of UGC dated June 15, 1993 in respect of candidates who have done M.Phil upto 31st March 1991, wherein the exemption from NET (National Eligibility Test) was extended to candidates who had been awarded M.Phil upto December 31, 1992.
4. And other related information.
Grounds for Second Appeal
The appellant is aggrieved that incomplete information was provided to him.
Submissions made by Appellant and Respondent during Hearing:
The appellant submitted that he is not satisfied with the reply of the CPIO.
The CPIO reiterated the contents of the reply dated 23.08.2018.She further submitted that after receipt of the CIC’s hearing notice, complete information was provided to the appellant with regard to points 1& 2 on 12.02.2020.
Observations:
From a perusal for the relevant case records, it is noted that even though complete information has been provided to the appellant, however, there has been a delay of almost 01 year and 04 months in providing the relevant information to the appellant on points no. 1 & 2. At this point, the appellant denied receipt of any such reply. The Commission notes that since the reply dated 12.02.2020 is a recent one, it may be in transit with the postal authorities and therefore the appellant has not received it.
Decision:
Based on the above observations, the Commission upholds the submissions of the CPIO. However, she is cautioned to remain extremely careful while handling the RTI applications and to ensure that timely replies are provided to the applicants.
The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Vanaja N. Sarna
Information Commissioner
Citation: Pradipkumar B Acharya v. University Grants Commission in Decision no.: -CIC/UGCOM/A/2018/155688/02877, Date of Decision: 13/02/2020