Central Information Commission
Varinder Kumar vs University Grants Commission on 6 December, 2024
के ीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गं गनाथ माग,मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
ि तीय अपील सं ा / Second Appeal No. CIC/UGCOM/A/2023/123157
Varinder Kumar ... अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO: University Grants
Commission, New Delhi ... ितवादीगण/Respondents
Relevant dates emerging from the appeal:
RTI : 19.02.2023 FA : 22.03.2023 SA : 19.05.2023
CPIO : 31.03.2023 FAO : Nil Hearing : 02.12.2024
Date of Decision: 05.12.2024
CORAM:
Hon'ble Commissioner
_ANANDI RAMALINGAM
ORDER
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 19.02.2023 seeking information on the following points:
(i) Copy of the Notification F9-29/2000-U3, dt.25-06-2002 Institute of Advanced studies in Education Deemed University Estd. U/S 3 of UGC Act 1956
(ii) Copy of Affiliation letter issued by UGC to Institute of Advanced Studies in education University (IASE), Gandhi Vidya Mandir, Churu, Sardarshahar (Rajasthan) PIN code 351401, India for giving distance education in India.
(iii) Did this approval of UGC is also authorised Institute of Advanced Studies in education University (IASE) to extend the distance education facility to Page 1 of 3 Uttarakhand State of India and for awarding the Bachelor Degree of Science (Hotel Management & Tourism)
(iv) Copy of UGC notification No. FC-1(II) (CPP-1) dated 19th August 2009, "DEEMED University instead of University, herein above.
(v) Kindly intimate is IASE is authorised to impart distance education in Uttarakhand state of India and issue the degree/certificate to the students doing the Hotel management degree in this state?
Copy of the degree issued by IASE attached with the request.
2. Having not received any response from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 22.03.2023.
3. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 31.03.2023 and the same is reproduced as under :-
"Points No. (i): Copy enclosed.
Point No. (ii), (iii), (v): Application is being forwarded to Distance Education Bureau of UGC for required information.
Point No. (iv): As per Supreme Court Order dated 03.11.2017 in the matter of Orissa Lift Irrigation Corpn. Ltd. Vs. Rabi Shankar Patro, the Deemed Universities cannot use the word 'University' in its name."
4. The FAA vide order dated Nil upheld the reply given by the CPIO.
5. Aggrieved with the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 19.05.2023.
6. The appellant remained absent and on behalf of the respondent Ms. Lalita Arora- SO, Mr. Puneet Kumar- UDC and Ms. Neera Chopra-US attended the hearing in Person.
7. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that the query No. 2,3 and 5 was forwarded to Distance Education Bureau of UGC for the required Page 2 of 3 information. Hence a consolidated reply has been furnished to the Appellant vide letter dated 28.11.2024. When queried by the Commission regarding the delay caused in furnishing the reply, the Respondent stated that the application has not been routed through their RIA cell. Moreover, their status about the recognition is available on their website.
8. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing the Respondent and perusal of records, observes that the CPIO has provided an appropriate reply to the RTI Application. Further, in the absence of the Appellant to plead his case or contest the Respondent's submissions, the Commission finds no scope of intervention in the matter. Additionally, the Respondent is sternly cautioned to be careful and to provide the information within the time duration mentioned in the Act, so as to avoid any penal action in future. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed.
Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.
Sd/-
(Anandi Ramalingam) (आनंदी रामिलंगम) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) िदनांक/Date: 05.12.2024 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 University Grants Commission, CPIO, RTI Cell, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi- 110002
2. Varinder Kumar Page 3 of 3 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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