Central Information Commission
Satya Pal Singh vs Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi on 30 January, 2026
केन्द्रीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ मागग, मुननरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई निल्ली, New Delhi - 110067
File No: Two Cases.
(1) CIC/JNUND/A/2025/102984
(2) CIC/JNUND/A/2025/129442.
SATYA PAL SINGH .....अपीलकर्ाग/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO,
JAWAHAR LAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY,
RTI CELL, J.N.U., NEW DELHI-110067 ....प्रनर्वािीगण /Respondent
Date of Hearing : 29.01.2026
Date of Decision : 29.01.2026
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER : Sudha Rani Relangi
Note- The above-mentioned Second Appeals are clubbed together for
disposal through single order as parties are common and RTI applications are
similar in nature.
(1) CIC/JNUND/A/2025/102984
Relevant facts emerging from appeal:
RTI application filed on : 26.09.2024
CPIO replied on : 23.10.2024
First appeal filed on : 23.11.2024
First Appellate Authority's order : 19.12.2024
2nd Appeal/Complaint dated : 24.01.2025
Information sought:
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 26.09.2024 seeking the following information:
"(i) Copy (ies) of the relevant rule (s) of the Jawaharlal Nehru University which allows recovery of arrears of licence fee, electricity, water or Page 1 of 7 conservancy charges from a retired employees of the University in respect of accommodation retained by him/her during his/her service in the University and even after his/her superannuation (on furnishing surety bond) from the university on account of retrospective revision of licence fee, electricity, water charges or conservancy charges effective from a date prior to his/her retirement on superannuation and where the notification for such retrospective revision of these charges is issued by the Estate Branch of the University after the date of his/her superannuation like in my case as mentioned in first two paragraph as above.
(ii) if it is permissible, what is the permissible mode of such recovery from a retired employee getting monthly pension from the University.
(iii) Whether under the pension rules of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, the recovery of retrospective revision of licence fee, electricity, water charges or conservancy charges (effective from a date prior to his/her retirement on superannuation and where the notification for such retrospective revision of these charges is issued by the Estate Branch of the University after the date of his/her superannuation) is permissible from the pension of concerned retired employee. If yes, kindly provide a copy of that rule.
(iv) The name/designation of the authority/officer of the University, whose approval was obtained by the Section Officer. Estate Branch of JNU for sending the letter No Estate/Vol. II/2023-24/012 dated 19.09.2024 to me. A copy of the same may please be provided.
(vi) What is the time limit stipulated in the relevant rules of the JNU in which the recovery of retrospective revision of license fee, electricity, water charges, conservancy charges can be made from a retired employee after his/her retirement. A copy of the relevant rule of JNU in this regard be provided.
(VII) The complete list of all such retired employees of the university who had been allotted university accommodation and retained the same till their superannuation and beyond superannuation ((on furnishing surety bond) and in respect of whom the arrears towards revision of Licence Fee w.e.f. 01.07.2027 and we.f. 01.07.2020 is still recoverable as on date.
The list be provide indicating the following:-
(a) Name of the retired employee Page 2 of 7
(b) Designation of the retired employee
(c) Date of superannuation
(d) Total amount of arrears of retrospective revision of licence fee Recoverable
(e) Period for which the recoverable amount pertains
(f) Number of retired employee to whom letters for making payment of outstanding dues of retrospective revision of licence fee have till date been sent by the Estate Branch of JNU
(g) Amount recovered/received by the University out of amount mentioned at point (d) and balance amount still recoverable
(h) Name of Surety Bond/ Guarantor in respect of concerned retired employee (if accommodation retained by the retired employee after retirement)."
2. The CPIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 23.10.2024 stating as under:-
"Reply to point no. (i): A copy of relevant rules is attached at Annexure-A for reference.
Reply to point no. (ii) Please refer to reply to point no. (i) above. Reply to point no. (iii): - Please refer to reply to point no, (i) above Reply to point no. (iv): - Please refer to reply to point no. (i) above. Reply to point no. (v): A copy of circular dated 29.09.2021 is attached at Annexure-B for reference Reply to point no. (vi): Please refer to reply to point no. (i) above. Reply to point no. (vii)- No such information is maintained in the desired format."
3. Aggrieved by the decision of CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 23.11.2024. The FAA vide its order dated 19.12.2024, upheld reply of the CPIO.
4. Challenging the decision of CPIO, Appellant is before the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.
(2) CIC/JNUND/A/2025/102984 Relevant facts emerging from appeal:
RTI application filed on : 20.01.2025 CPIO replied on : 28.02.2025 First appeal filed on : 05.04.2025
First Appellate Authority's order : 01.05.2025 2nd Appeal/Complaint dated : 28.08.2025 Page 3 of 7 Information sought:
5. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 20.01.2025 seeking the following information:-
(1) Provide copy of the Rules (approved by the EC/JNU) which allows the recovery of arrears of license fee, electricity, water and conservancy charges etc. from retired employees of the University, in respect of University accommodation retained by them during their services, and even after superannuation (on furnishing Surety Bond) on account of retrospective revision of license fee, electricity, water charges and conservancy charges effective from a date prior to their retirement/superannuation, and whereas the Notification for such retrospective revision of these charges has been issued by the Estate Branch of the University after their date of superannuation like in my case as mentioned in above first two paragraph. (2). What is the permissible time limit and mode of such recovery from retired employees, who are getting their monthly pension from the University, stipulated under the JNU Rules. Kindly provide a copy of relevant Rules(approved by the EC/JNU).
(3). Whether under the Pension Rules of Jawaharlal Nehru University, the recovery of retrospective revision of license fee, electricity, water charges and conservancy charges (effective from a date prior to employees retirement/superannuation, and whereas the Notification for such retrospective revision of these charges issued by the Estate Branch of JNU after the date of his/her superannuation) is permissible from the pension of concerned retired employees. What is the time limit stipulated in the relevant Rules of the JNU. Kindly provide a copy of that Rules(approved by the EC/JNU).
(4). Whether CCS Rules has been adopted and implemented by the Jawaharlal Nehru University in this regards. Kindly provide a copy of relevant Rules(approved by the EC/JNU).
(5). Provide the name/designation of the competent authority of JNU (delegated powers by the EC/JNU) who is empowered to effect the recovery of retrospective revision of license fee, electricity, water charges, conservancy charges from retired employees once "No Dues Certificate" have been submitted by them and all the retirement benefits have also paid/released by the University prior to the Notification of retrospective revision of license fee and other charges. (6). Provide the complete list of retired employees(both teaching & non-
teaching), who had retained University accommodation on their superannuation and beyond superannuation(on furnishing Surety Bond), and in respect of whom the arrears towards revision of license fees w.e.f. 01.07.2017 and w.e.f. 01.07.2020 is/are still recoverable as on-date, as Page 4 of 7 per records of the Finance Branch. Please provide a detailed list indicating the following:
(a) Name and Designation of the retired employees.
(b) Dates of retirement/superannuation.
(c) Total amount of arrears of retrospective revision of license fees and other charges recoverable from retired employees.
(d) Period for which recoverable amount pertains from retired employees.
(e) Amount recovered/received by the University out of amount mentioned at point (d) and balance amount still recoverable from retired employees.
(f) Name of the Surety Bond/Guarantor in respect of all concerned retired employees (if accommodation retained by the retired employees after retirement/superannuation).
(g) Number of retired employees to whom letters for making payment of outstanding dues of retrospective revision of license fee and other charges have been sent till-date by the Estate Branch of JNU.
6. The CPIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 28.02.2025 stating as under:
Reply to point no.1: It is to inform that the payment of charges against licence fee, water, electricity, conservancy, etc. done as per House Allotment Rules (Download link https://www.jnu.ac.in/RTI/house%20allotment%20rules.pdf) of JNU. However, the JNU follows Govt. of India Rules/ Regulations/ Instructions where the University Statutes/ Rules/Regulations are silent (copy enclosed).
Reply to point no.2: Please refer to reply to point no.(1) above. Reply to point no.3: Please refer to reply to point no.(1) above. Reply to point no.4: about. However, please The question is not clear as to which "CCS Rules", Applicant is asking refer to reply to point no.(1) above for reference.
Reply to point no.5: Please refer to reply to point no.(1) above. Reply to point no.6: Estate Branch does not maintain data as desired by the applicant. However, the applicant may visit the Estate Branch as per his convenience & in liaison with Section Officer (Estate), Phone no. 011- 2670 4025.
Reply to point no.7: No such information is available in the record. Reply to point no.8: As in Reply to Point no.(6).
7. Aggrieved by the decision of the CPIO, Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 05.04.2025. The FAA vide its order dated 01.05.2025, held as under:
Page 5 of 7With reference to your first appeal dated 05.04.2025 seeking information under RTI Act 2005, the information provided vide letter of even number dated 28.02.2025 is reiterated (copy enclosed). Further, you may also visit this office for examination of the available files between 2.30PM to 4.30PM on any working days (Monday to Friday) as per your convenience & in liaison with Section Officer (Estate), Phone no. 011-2670 4025 and after inspection of files, in case copies of some documents are required, the same will be provided on payment of Rs.2.00/-per page to be deposited by you through prescribed mode of payment.
8. Challenging the FAA's order, appellant is before the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.
Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:
The following were present:-
Appellant: Shri Satya Pal, Singh present in person. Respondent: Shri Abhishek Singh, DR (Admission)/ Nodal CPIO along with Shri Rajbir Singh, SO (Estate) and Shri Shankar Shar, JR (Finance), all present in person.
9. Written statement of the parties is taken on record.
10. The Appellant narrated the genesis of instant Appeals being the arbitrary and alleged illegal demands raised by the JNU after his retirement against revision of license fee for allotment of quarters. Appellant restricted his arguments to the fact that list of equally footed other retirees/pensioners were not provided to him, so far. Hence, this Second Appeal before the Commission seeking the requested information.
11. CPIO stated that point -wise reply along with relevant information was already provided to the Appellant. In addition to it, opportunity of inspection of relevant documents were also afforded to the Appellant which he did not avail. CPIO volunteered to reiterate this opportunity to the Appellant.
12. On the suggestion of the Commission, the Appellant agreed to avail the offer of inspection of relevant documents on mutually agreed basis provided the CPIO facilitate due assistance to him.
Page 6 of 7Decision:
13. Upon perusal of case records, hearing both the parties and in furtherance of hearing proceedings, the Commission deems it fit to direct the CPIO to facilitate one more opportunity of inspection of relevant records in response to instant RTI applications to the Appellant or his authorized representative, on a mutually decided date and time within four weeks from the date of receipt of this order. Before giving a date to the Appellant, the Respondent should supply him a list of files connected with the query raised in the RTI applications by giving File Nos., Subject of the file, and total number of pages of correspondence in each file. Further, on the day of inspection, all relevant records must be brought at one place to facilitate inspection and not make the Appellant run around various departments of the Respondent Public Authority. Intimation of date and time should be informed to the Appellant well in advance in writing. Copy of records as may be desired by the Appellant be provided to him free of cost up to first 50 pages and thereafter, upon receipt of requisite fees as per RTI Rules, 2012.
14. A compliance report to the above directions be filed by the Respondent before the Commission, immediately thereafter.
The Second Appeals are disposed of accordingly.
Sd/-
Sudha Rani Relangi (सुधा रानी रे लग ं ी) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयुक्त) Authenticated true copy (अनिप्रमानणर् सत्यानपर् प्रनर्) (Anil Kumar Mehta) Dy. Registrar 011- 26767500 Date Shri Satya Pal Singh Page 7 of 7 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
Nil Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)