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Amith Chengappa vs Ut Of Puducherry on 24 February, 2026

                                                     CIC/UTPON/A/2024/638188

                                    के   ीय सूचना आयोग
                          Central Information Commission
                               बाबा गंगनाथ माग,मुिनरका
                           Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
                              नई द ली, New Delhi - 110067
ि तीय अपील सं या / Second Appeal No. CIC/UTPON/A/2024/638188

Amith Chengappa                                             ... अपीलकता/Appellant

                                     VERSUS
                                      बनाम
CPIO: Directorate of Health
& Family Welfare Services,                               ... ितवादीगण/Respondents
Puducherry

Relevant dates emerging from the appeal:

RTI : 24.05.2024              FA     : 25.06.2024           SA     : 28.08.2024

CPIO :   Not on record        FAO : Not on record           Hearing : 20.02.2026


Date of Decision: 20.02.2026
                                        CORAM:
                                   Hon'ble Commissioner
                                      Shri P R Ramesh
                                       ORDER

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 24.05.2024 seeking information on the following points:

1. The duration of the MBBS course offered by your institution.

2. The fee structure for MBBS seats allocated through CENTAC (Centralized Admission Committee) for both Government and Management quota seats, Applicable from the year 2023 onwards.

3. Please provide a detailed breakdown of the fees for the entire duration of the MBBS course.

CIC/UTPON/A/2024/638188

4. If the MBBS course commences in the year 2023, kindly specify the expected duration for the regular course completion and the annual fee structure for both CENTAC Government and Management quota students.

2. Having not received any response from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal on 25.06.2024 FAA's order, if any, is not available on record.

3. Aggrieved with the non-receipt of the FAA's order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated 28.08.2024.

Facts emerging in Course of Hearing:

Appellant: Not present Respondent: Mohd. Siddiq, Superintendent- participated in the hearing through video- conference.

4. The Respondent while defending their case inter alia submitted that point-wise reply has been provided to the Appellant. He further stated complete records has been furnished to the Appellant. Upon being queried regarding the delay in furnishing the reply, the present PIO stated he has been recently designated as CPIO and the instant RTI Application was earlier dealt by the erstwhile PIO.

5. A reply dated 14.02.2026 has been furnished by the PIO. The relevant extract whereof is as under:

1. "..As per NMC details, the duration of the MBBS course is 4 1/2 years and One Year Internship

2. Enclosed.

3. Not available in this Directorate. The Competent Authority for the requested information is Under Secretary (Health), Health Secretariat, Puducherry.

4. Please refer to the reply for point No. 1 and 2..."

CIC/UTPON/A/2024/638188 Decision:

6. Commission, after perusal of case records and submissions made during hearing expresses severe displeasure over the conduct of the then CPIO in not having provided any reply qua the instant RTI Application within the stipulated time frame mandated under the RTI Act. Such inaction reflects a gross disregard of statutory obligations. The Commission further observes with concern that then PIO remained completely inactive in the matter and no steps whatsoever were taken until the incumbent PIO assumed charge and furnished information as sought by the Appellant. Now, Commission was unable to procure the name of the then CPIO, therefore Commission directs then CPIO through the present CPIO to send his/her written submissions for the gross violation of provisions of RTI Act. In doing so, if any other person is also responsible for the omission, the then PIO shall serve a copy of this order on such other person under intimation to the Commission and ensure that written submissions of all such concerned persons are sent to the Commission. The said written submission of then PIO along with submissions of other concerned persons, if any, should reach the Commission within 30 days from the date of receipt of this order failing which suo motu action shall be initiated, for non-compliance of this order, in terms of law.

7. Nevertheless, perusal of records reveals that information as defined under Section 2(f) of the RTI Act from available official records has been duly provided to the Appellant, in terms of provisions of the Act at this stage. Hence, no further intervention of the Commission is required in the matter. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.

Copy of the decision be provided free of cost to the parties.

Sd/-

(P R Ramesh) (पी. आर. रमेश) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) Page 3 of 4 CIC/UTPON/A/2024/638188 Authenticated true copy Vivek Agarwal (िववेक अ वाल) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011-26107048 Addresses of the parties:

1 The CPIO Superintendent/OSD, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Services, Main Block, Old Maternity Hospital Complex, Victor Simonel Street, Puducherry-605001.

2 Amith Chengappa Page 4 of 4 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-

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