Central Information Commission
Shankar R. Kattimani vs University Grants Commission on 7 October, 2025
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/2024/134005
Shankar R. Kattimani ... अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO:
University Grants Commission, ... ितवादीगण/Respondents
New Delhi
Relevant dates emerging from the appeal:
RTI : 16.10.2023 FA : 31.07.2024 SA : 14.10.2024
CPIO : 29.11.2023 FAO : 23.09.2024 Hearing : 24.09.2025
Date of Decision: 06.10.2025
CORAM:
Hon'ble Commissioner
_ANANDI RAMALINGAM
ORDER
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 16.10.2023 seeking information on the following points:
(i) Bhartiya Bhasha Samiti" was held meeting on 19.03.2023 and the Committee has made a recommendation to the Ministry of Law & Justice in consultation with the bar Council of India, Ministry of Education and UGC to produce legal textbooks/reference books/study material in Indian languages and to promote Indian Language medium of instruction in addition to English medium in legal education. The Committee also recommends to develop of vocabulary necessary for uses of reginal languages in each state. These are the recommendation of Page 1 of 4 Committee to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, it is said BCI, it is right or wrong, and it is right what action taken government about recommendation of Bhartiya Bhasha samiti made, I request you to provide information with copy of about it as per under Right to Information.
2. The CPIO replied vide letter dated 29.11.2023 which is not on record of the Commission.
3. Dissatisfied with the response received from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 31.07.2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. The FAA vide order dated 23.09.2024 stated that:
On going through the records, it is observed that the information provided by the CPIO in his reply dated 29.11.2023 in respect of the RTI application was appropriate and in order. Further, it is informed that, the information pertaining to the International Cooperation Section of UGC is available on the UGC website https://www.ugc.gov.in.
It is observed that there has been a delay in replying to the RTI by the CPIO which is duly noted and the CPIO has been directed to be more careful in future and reply all the RTIs on time.
4. Aggrieved with the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 14.10.2024.
5. The appellant attended the hearing through video conference and the respondent remained absent.
6. The appellant inter alia submitted that no reply had been provided by the respondent.
7. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing the appellant and perusal of records, observes that the appellant has sought vague and unspecific information in his RTI application. Further, vide FAA's order, it is noted that a Page 2 of 4 weblink had been provided to the appellant and that the RTI application was replied on 29.11.2023 but the same is not on record for perusal. Moreover, the respondent neither uploaded a reply to the RTI application nor were present before the Commission despite hearing notice served to them. In view of this, the Commission issues a Show- cause notice to the CPIO, as to why action under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act should not be initiated against them for providing a reply within the specified time limit and for remaining absent in the hearing. Therefore, the Commission directs CPIO, to furnish written statement regarding his above mentioned conduct along with the comments of the First Appellate Authority by uploading on http://dsscic.nic.in/online-link-paper- compliance/add, within 25 days from the date of the receipt of this order. Further, the CPIO is directed to provide a reply to the RTI application within 15 days from the date of receipt of this order, under intimation to the Commission. With this observation and direction, 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 ) िदनांक/Date: 06.10.2025 Authenticated true copy O. P. Pokhriyal (ओ.पी. पोख रयाल) 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 Page 3 of 4
2. Shankar R. Kattimani Page 4 of 4 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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