Central Information Commission
Ms. Pranjul Saksena vs Central Board Of Secondary Education on 25 May, 2009
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION
Club Building(Near Post Office)
Old JNU Campus , New Delhi -110 067
Tel: + 91 11 26161796
Decision No. CIC /SG/A/2009/000689/3401
Appeal No. CIC /SG/A/2009/000689
Relevant Facts emerging from the Appeal
Appellant : Ms. Pranjul Saksena
732, Green Heavens Apartments
Plot No. 35, Sector 4, Dwarka,
New Delhi-110075.
Respondent : Smt. Rama Sharma
PRO & CPIO
Central Board of Secondary Education,
Shiksha Kendra,
2, Community Centre, Preet Vihar,
Delhi-110092.
RTI application filed on : 30/08/2008
PIO replied : 18/11/2008
First appeal filed on : 05/12/2008
First Appellate Authority order : 28/01/2009
Second Appeal filed on : 26/03/2009
Information sought:-
Central Board of Secondary Education has started a Merit Scholarship Scheme from 2005. The appellant had requested information on the following points in respect of CBSE Merit Scholarships Scheme for the year 2005:-
S. No. Information sought PIO's reply
1. Number of students who were invited Course Letter Sent
to apply for the Merit Scholarships in Med. 1210
2005. Engg. 1265
UG 1944
Total 4419
2. The criterion for inviting students to Copy of detailed schemes have apply for the Merit Scholarships in already been sent. 2005.
3. Number of students who actually 1946 app.
applied for the Merit Scholarships in 2005.
4. Details of course (including duration Details of courses:-
in years) approved for awarding the a) CBSE Merit Scholarship for Merit Scholarships to the applicants Under Graduate studies for 3 years in 2005 and the criterion for their @ Rs.500/- p.m. selection as well as the amount of b) CBSE Merit Scholarship for scholarship for each course. Reasons Professional studies for different amounts if so, please (AIPMT/AIEEE) for 4 years @ provide copy of document Rs.1000/- p.m. authorizing approval.
5. Details of courses which were not The candidates who have passed the approved for awarding the Merit Exam. conducted by the Board and Scholarships and the reasons and are pursing studies in Central/State criterion for their de-selection in Govt. Colleges, Colleges recognized 2005. please provide copy of by UGC and Government Aided document authorizing de-selection. colleges are being considered for award of Board's Merit Scholarship.
6. Criterion for selection of Merit As per scheme of studies.
Scholarship awardees in 2005.
7. Details of the cut-off marks for Rankwise (Gen.) selection of Merit Scholarships in Rankwise(SGC) 2005. AIPMT 097 2440 AIEEE 307 33331 UNER G. As per percentage of marks obtained and state wise quota (list had been supplied).
8. Details of applicants who obtained Such separate details have not been marks more than the cut-off marks of prepared. selected students but were still denied the Merit Scholarships in 2005.
9. Details of the reasons for denying the List of candidates who were eligible Merit Scholarships to eligible for award of Board's Merit applicants and whether these reasons Scholarship was displayed on the were communicated to the concerned website of the Board. applicants by CBSE. If not, reasons therefore. If yes, please provide copies of the communications sent.
10. Have any complaints been received Such records are not available at by CBSE for denial of the Merit present.
Scholarships to eligible applicants and details of action taken by CBSE on these complaints.
11. Details of approvals of the Union All schemes have been formulated Ministry of Education and Human by the CBSE and the Board is Resources for awarding/denial of granting Scholarship from its own Merit Scholarships in 2005. resources. It is a self financing Body and is not receiving any grant in aid from MHRD or from any other Body.
First Appellate Authority ordered.
First Appellate Authority ordered "However, it is further informed that the candidates pursing under graduate courses (non medical/ non engineering) in any central/state Govt. University or those recognized by UGC falls within the merit are eligible for consideration under the said scheme. So far as award of scholarship in respect of professional courses, the candidates pursuing medical/engineering in any Central University/Institutions controlled or aided by Central/Government in any Central University/Institutions controlled or aided by Central Government are eligible subject to the merit list of AIPMT/AIEEE examinations conducted by the CBSE. The details of scholarships awarded by the Board in the year 2005 in respect of under graduate and Professional studies are as under:
Year Scholarship Scheme For under Scholarship Scheme for Professional Graduate Studies Studies Single Girl Merit basis Single Girl Merit Basis Children Children 2005 140 250 095 357 The Board does not have any other information available to be provided to the appellant in the matter, she required."
Relevant Facts emerging during Hearing:
The following were present Appellant : Absent Respondent : Absent The primary reason for the appeal appears to be in regard to query 8 and 10. The public authority has said he does not maintain any records. If the record is not maintained the information cannot be given. However, the Commission recommends that the board must maintain records of "Details of applicants who obtained marks more than the cut-off marks of selected students but were still denied the Merit Scholarships" and " complaints received by CBSE for denial of the Merit Scholarships to eligible applicants and details of action taken by CBSE on these complaints" in future. Citizens have a right to know these details.
Decision:
The Appeal is disposed.
No information is available which can be given to the appellant.
This decision is announced in open chamber. Notice of this decision be given free of cost to the parties.
Shailesh Gandhi Information Commissioner 25th May, 2009 (In any correspondence on this decision, mentioned the complete decision number.) (AK)