Central Information Commission
Sandeep Kalita vs Rajiv Gandhi University on 8 August, 2024
के ीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ माग,मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
ि तीय अपील सं ा / Second Appeal No. CIC/RJGUV/A/2023/655636
Sandeep Kalita ... अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO: Rajiv Gandhi
University, Doimukh ... ितवादीगण/Respondent
Relevant dates emerging from the appeal:
RTI : 21.09.2023 FA : 25.10.2023 SA : 19.12.2023
CPIO : Not on record FAO : Not on record Hearing : 05.08.2024
Date of Decision: 07.08.2024
CORAM:
Hon'ble Commissioner
_ANANDI RAMALINGAM
ORDER
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 21.09.2023 seeking information on the following points:
(i) What is the total sanctioned strength of faculty positions at RGU, categorized by departments and designations, for example Professor, Associate Professor and Assistant Professor in Mathematics Department and so on?
(ii) What is the total sanctioned strength of non-faculty positions at RGU, categorized by departments and positions, such as administrative, technical, and support staff required in Admin & Allied cadre, Technical Cadre etc?Page 1 of 3
(iii) Kindly, provide a detailed breakdown of the total sanctioned vacancies in both faculty and non-faculty positions, specifying the number of vacancies in each category, viz, SC, ST, OBC, EWS and UR?
(iv) Was there any Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST category candidates for faculty and non-faculty positions conducted earlier or there is any plan to do so in the future recruitment drives?
(v) Is there any plan or projection for increasing the faculty and non-faculty vacancies apart from the already sanctioned strength at RGU over the next 5 years? If so, then kindly provide the information about the initiatives or strategies in place to achieve this increase?
2. Having not received any reply from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 25.10.2023. The order of FAA, if any, is not on the record of the commission.
3. Due to non-receipt of any order from the First Appellate Authority, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 19.12.2023.
4. The appellant remained present through video conference and on behalf of the respondent Ms. Oriental, CPIO attended the hearing through video conference.
5. The appellant inter alia submitted that no reply has been provided by the Respondent so far. He informed that it is only during the hearing proceedings that the Respondent has provided the reply.
6. The respondent while defending their case inter alia apologized and submitted that they were not well acquainted with the online RTI portal due to which they were unable to receive the current RTI Application. However, on the receipt of the RTI Application along with the hearing notice of the Commission, they have sent a reply to the Appellant vide letter dated 02.08.2024.
7. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both parties and perusal of records, observed that the appropriate reply has been provided Page 2 of 3 by the Respondent. However, the Commission notes that, the Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) have cited unfamiliarity with the online RTI platform as a reason for delays in responding to RTI applications. To address this, the Commission advises the Respondent authority to conduct a training session on the use of online RTI platform. Familiarity with the platform is a fundamental responsibility and claims of unfamiliarity should not be claimed as an excuse for delays. The Commission also emphasizes the importance of timely and accurate RTI responses for transparent governance and urges all CPIOs to prioritize their training and stay updated to ensure the efficient processing of RTI applications.
Additionally, the CPIO is directed to send a proper written explanation for not furnishing the reply within the time frame allocated as per the RTI Act. The written explanation of the CPIO shall be sent to the Commission both through post and via uploading on http://dsscic.nic.in/online-link-paper-compliance/add within 10 days of the receipt of this order. With this observation, the appeal is disposed of.
Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.
Sd/-
(Anandi Ramalingam) (आनंदी रामिलंगम) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) िदनां क/Date: 07.08.2024 Authenticated true copy Col S S Chhikara (Retd) (कनल एस एस िछकारा ($रटायड) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011-26180514 Addresses of the parties:
1. The CPIO Assistant Registrar, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh-791112
2. Sandeep Kalita Page 3 of 3 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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