|
|
(From a Special Correspondent) Nalanda University burnt midnight oil to keep date with hearing in the court of Central Information Commissioner Mr. Shailesh Gandhi on May 3. Noida-based Mr. R. Venkatanarayanan, formerly Secretary, Government of India had lodged a complaint before the CIC in December 22, 2011 alleging that the University was not complying with the Sec 4 (1) (b) of the RTI Act, 2005. The Sec 4 (1) (b) commands every Public Authority to voluntarily disclose information on seventeen items within 120 days of its formation/or passage of the Act.
|
These include particulars of its organizations, functions & duties; procedure followed in decision making process, including channels of supervision and accountability; directory of its officers and employees; monthly remuneration received by each officers; budget allocated to each of its agency etc. Information of these points are expected to be put online on the website as well as compiled in brochure form.
In a written response before the CIC, Dr. Gopa Sabharwal, the controversial Vice Chancellor of the Nalanda University, acknowledged that the Nalanda University has been established under an Act of Parliament of India (39 0f 2010). She further acknowledged that it is an autonomous body under the Ministry of External Affairs, it is substantially financed by the Government of India, and its website was launched on October 7, 2011. All these implied that the University was obliged to comply with the Sec 4(1) (b) of the RTI Act.
Her pretensions to ‘internationality’ of the Nalanda University were conspicuously absent in the response. The Bihar Times has consistently maintained that the Nalanda University, established under a Central Act, has no legally enforceable international charter. The website of the University was launched on October 7, 2011 or nearly a year after its operation following a hue and cry. A month earlier Bihar Times had shown how Nalanda University had not launched a website despite registering four domain names.
Until lately, the Nalanda University website www.nalandauniv.edu.in had no information on the RTI. The CPIO and Appellate Authority were not notified on the website despite those posts being filled up. Bihar Times that tracked the website found that the RTI column was inserted barely in the nick of time for the hearing before CIC. The notifications for CPIO and Appellate Authority as well as the Information Handbook consisting 17 chapters were uploaded on May 1.
The Nalanda University was represented by Mr. Sudhir Kumar (First Appellate Authority & Consultant, Administration), Mr. S.L. Sharma (CPIO & Administrative Officer) and Dr. P. Mishra (OSD, Finance) at the hearing. Mr. R. Venkatanarayanan, the Complainant was absent. Unconfirmed reports with Bihar Times say he is currently abroad. The respondents informed that Nalanda University’s compliance with RTI Act got delayed due to inadequacy of staff. They have assured the Commission that Nalanda University would be a ‘model’ in RTI implementation. They also handed over the Information Handbook and informed the CIC about the University’s website. The Commission appreciated the proactive manner in which the University was making efforts to implement the RTI Act and ‘looked forward to its growth’.
The Information Commissioner’s decision read that the Complaint is allowed. Nalanda University is found to be a Public Authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act. The crusade for transparency in the Nalanda University crossed another milestone on May 3. But are their more skeletons in the closet are waiting to tumble out?
CIC JUDGEMENT
comments...
| 
