CIC Upholds Applicants Right to Seek Answer Script, Directs CPIO to Expedite Process
13.12.2021 | Education News | EduLegaL | www.edulegal.org | mail@edulegal.in
The Central Information Commission in Anoop P R vs Central University of Kerala– CIC/CUKER/A/2020/684143- directed the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) to provide answer script on Lower Division Clerk examination conducted by IBPS to the appellant as sought through the RTI application.
The Central Information Commissioner Saroj Puhani held:
The Commission upon a perusal of records observes that the reply of the CPIO did not adequately suffice the information sought by the Appellant as per the RTI Act.
Now, therefore considering the hearing proceeding, the CPIO is hereby directed to provide relevant available information after liaisoning with the concerned record holder, OR access the same from the IBPS and provide it directly free of cost to the Appellant through speed post and via email. In the event, no such information is available in their records then a categorical statement to this effect should be given in writing by the CPIO.
The aforesaid direction shall be complied by the CPIO within 15 days from the date of receipt of this order under due intimation to the Commission.
The appellant had filed RTI application on 02.02.2020 seeking certified copy of his answer sheet of test paper 2 of Lower Division Clerk examination conducted on 18.11.2019 by IBPS. On 02.03.2020 CPIO replied stating since the paper 2 Examination was conducted online, there was no answer script. Dissatisfied by the CPIO’s reply, the appellant made a first appeal on 02.03.2020, where the First Appellant Authority upheld the CPIO’s reply. Aggrieved by the order of FAA approached the Commission.
The CPIO representative submitted that the exam was conducted by an external authority named IBPS therefore they did not possess any answer script. However, he stated that he may procure the same from the service provider.
Subsequently, the Commission observing that the CPIO did not provide the relevant data to the appellant directed the CPIO to procure the data sought for by contacting IBPS and providing the copies to the appellant free of cost through speed post. In the event that no records are found, the CPIO was directed to inform the Commission in writing.
In conclusion, the Commission, directing the CPIO to meet the directives within 15 days of the order, disposed of the appeal.
Rasmita Behera | Research Intern | EduLegaL
