CHIEF INFORMATION Commissioner (CIC) Justice (retired) MA Khan has summoned the registrar of Lucknow University over the alleged dilly-dallying tactics adopted by the varsity administration in furnishing information under the Right to Information Act to a petitioner.
The order was passed by CIC on an application of Dr Neeraj Kumar. Kumar had sought certain information from the public information officer of LU on July 15.
A reminder in this connection was again given to the PIO on October 10. But on getting no response, Kumar filed a plea before the CIC here on October 30. On Thursday, when the matter came up for hearing a written reply by LU Registrar AK Damle was submitted on his behalf to the commission by assistant registrar Sanjai Kumar Mull.
The LU registrar said that a disciplinary committee formed by LU Executive Council was already conducting a probe against the petitioner. Since the proceedings were quasi judicial in nature, the same were exempt from disclosure under the RTIA. The CIC, however, was not convinced with the argument.
Directing the LU authorities to provide the information sought by the petitioner within 10-days, he warned that stern action under Section 20 (imposing fine) of the RTIA would be initiated if the order was not complied with.
{{/usCountry}}Directing the LU authorities to provide the information sought by the petitioner within 10-days, he warned that stern action under Section 20 (imposing fine) of the RTIA would be initiated if the order was not complied with.
{{/usCountry}}The LU registrar was asked to appear in person before the commission with the relevant information and documents on December 14 when the matter would again come up for hearing.