From now, you can expect a little more transparency when it comes to public money and functioning of aidd educational institutes that are run by private bodies. While some (institutes) dodge providing information under RTI stating that the information sought is with the private body that runs it, the private body, on the other hand, would say that it does not get any government funding. Thus, the RTI Act is not applicable to it. This leaves an applicant with no information.
The directorates of higher education and technical education have asked all universities, and colleges in the state to maintain all records that would come under government aid at the college-level. The directorates also asked them to appoint a designated officer who can give all the information in this regard when sought.
This comes after State Information Commission (SIC) while hearing an appeal, said that RTI clause should be introduced while registering or giving financial aid to every educational institute that are run by bodies registered under the public trust or other laws to keep an account of the distribution of government funding. The SIC was hearing an appeal wherein an applicant was not provided information by an educational institute stating that it is with the body (management) that runs it, not with the institute. The management that was running the institute refused to entertain an RTI application saying it does not come under RTI as it was the college that was getting the financial aid.
Largely, the state gives salary grants to educational institutes. The SIC order was marked to secretaries of higher education, technical education, universities, registrars and medical education and will cover all kinds of educational institutes including law universities.
"This was in respect to a case related to Dr Susie Kuriakose. We got the order copy. All the universities and colleges have been informed. From now, they have to maintain a record of the same," said Dr Dhananjay Mane, director, higher education, Maharashtra. A circular was issued on June 18, 2019, to all vice chancellors, of arts, science, commerce, law, women's university by higher education. Engineering and MBA institutes that are aidd were informed by technical directorates.
Dr Kuriakose, former principal of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Hazarimal Somani College, was allegedly given a suspension order without issuing a show cause notice explaining the reason behind the suspension. When Kuriakose asked for details of meetings in which her suspension was decided, they denied her any information.
"The RTI applicants will now get information without being shunted around. Earlier, the management would refuse to provide documents saying they do not come under RTI. " said Kuriakose.