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The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Information Commission orders SCOLE Kerala and Nirmithi Kendras to adhere to RTI Act
The Kerala State Information Commission has brought the State Council for Open and Lifelong Education (SCOLE) Kerala and the Nirmithi Kendras functioning across the State under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. In the first case, the applicant, Krishnan Kutty K. from Palakkad, had requested information from SCOLE Kerala, which operates under the General Education department. Denying information sought under the RTI Act, the institution claimed that it was not bound by the law. Considering the applicant's appeal, State Information Commissioner Sreekumar M. stated that SCOLE Kerala qualifies as a public institution under Section 2(h)(c) of the RTI Act. The commission also pointed out that the administration of SCOLE Kerala is governed by an Executive Council, which includes the Minister of General Education, an Additional Secretary, the Director of General Education and Finance Officer, as well as nominees from the public sector. Therefore, it was concluded that SCOLE Kerala falls under the full ownership and control of the government, as per Section 2(h)(i) of the RTI Act. Similarly, in another case, C. Pradeep Kumar from Adoor filed a petition regarding a denial of information from the Nirmithi Kendra in Thrissur. The Commission ruled that Nirmithi Kendras, which operate under government control, also fall under the RTI Act's jurisdiction. The governing body of these centres includes District Collectors, Sub-collectors, Project Officers, and other senior government officials, all of whom are responsible for overseeing the centres' administration. The Commission has instructed the authorities concerned in both cases to immediately appoint RTI officers in these institutions, and to provide the requested information to the petitioners within 15 days.
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Information Commission rejects society's contention; orders appointment of SPIO
Rejecting the contention of the Sree Avittom Thirunal Hospital Health Education Society (SATHHES) that it did not come under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the State Information Commission on Thursday issued directions to immediately appoint a State Public Information Officer (SPIO) in the institution. The order was issued by State Information Commissioner Sreekumar M. based on an appeal filed by Thiruvananthapuram native Sindhu S. In her RTI application, she had sought detailed information about gratuity disbursed to employees of SATHHES between January 2017 and September 2021, including names, addresses, amounts and dates of payment. The society administration had initially denied the request, stating that SATHHES does not fall under the ambit of the RTI Act. This was reiterated by the appellate authority. However, the Commission ruled otherwise after a hearing held recently. Intertwined with govt. The order states that while SATHHES is registered under the Travancore - Cochin Literary, Scientific, Cultural and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955, its executive and administrative structure is intertwined with the State government. The institution's executive council and governing body comprise government officials, including the Principal of the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College, the superintendent of Sree Avittom Thirunal Hospital, and officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The Commission also observed that the society operates from government-owned premises without paying rent and is administered by government employees. As a result, the argument that SATHHES is not a public institution cannot be accepted as it functioned under the direct control of the State government. This made the society obligated to disclose information under the RTI Act, the order stated.
