Sri Chitra Institute changes stand, to make info of meetings public under RTI Act
It was in December 2023 that the SCTIMST first turned down an RTI query seeking a copy of the minutes of its governing body (GB) meetings number 107 to 113 as well as of the institute body (IB) meetings since July 2020. The applicant had cited doubts regarding the transparency of decisions taken by the two top bodies of SCTIMST after a new director assumed office in 2019, as the reason for filing the query.
However, SCTIMST's central public information officer (CPIO) denied providing the information sought, citing the institute's GB and IB had earlier resolved that response could be given only to an RTI query that relates to 'a particular or relevant issue'. Dissatisfied, the applicant filed an appeal with SCTIMST's First Appellate Authority (FAA). It was not adjudicated, prompting the applicant to approach the CIC.
'I informed the CIC that the CPIO denied information sought without invoking any exemption clause, which constituted a gross violation of the RTI Act,' the applicant told TNIE. The CIC ruled that to deny information, it is important the denial should be as per the provisions of the Act.
'Also, if any of the exemption clauses mentioned under Sections 8 and 9 of the RTI Act, 2005, is claimed, the respondent (SCTIMST) is required to provide justification or establish the reason why such exemption was claimed,' the CIC's May 15 order said.
The CIC also directed SCTIMST to take necessary steps for 'suo motu disclosure of maximum information on its website', related to the minutes of the GB meeting in compliance with the provisions of Section 4 of the RTI Act.
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