A day in life of an RTI applicant

“I wanted some information about the faculty at the Correspondence Studies Department. I went to the reception,but got no information. Then I headed to the Public Relations Office from where I was guided to the Registrar Office. There I was told to first deposit the RTI application fee at the bank counter,” Manpreet said. “At the bank,I had to wait in an unending serpentine queue for over three hours. After that I went back to the Registrar office,where I was told to go to the Correspondence Studies Department.”

“I ran out of patience and told the official to accept the application there itself as the university had a centralised RTI Cell. After some argument,application was finally accepted,but I did not get a receipt,” he added.

The RTI Cell at PU was set up a few months ago,but a system to file an application is not in place yet. And it becomes all the more “tormenting in the absence of any signboards”.

Besides,senior citizens must stand along with students in long queues,which get longer during admission season,to deposit the application fees.

PU Registrar S S Bari said information boards would be soon put up on campus to direct an applicant. And as far as depositing fee,he added,there is an option to attach a postal order with the application to avoid inconvenience at bank. However,Singh said nobody at the RTI Cell informed him about the postal order.

Meanwhile,NSUI president Nitin Goyal said as the RTI Cell is situated inside the Administration Block,one has to get an entry pass made — for which there’s a queue — to go there.

CHB also ‘diluting the spirit’ of RTI

“PU is not the only body diluting the spirit of the RTI Act”,Manpreet,who reportedly faced a tough time at the Chandigarh Housing Board office,said.

He said to submit his RTI application (dated June 22),in which he sought information on building violations,the CPIO asked him to personally visit the office. There is no provision under the Act,where an applicant can be called to the office for clarification,he added.

“Besides this,the CPIO asked Superintendent (Admn) to directly supply me the information. This is clear violation of the Act,as a CPIO cannot pass on his responsibility,” he said.

“CHB Executive Engineer (Enforcement) Sunil Malik asked me whether I wanted to get the work done or needed a reply,” Singh alleged,adding that he was told by the officer that “RTI is just a solace”.

However,Malik denied making any such statement. “The CPIO will furnish information in stipulated time. If not,then the applicant can appeal with the appellate authority. Besides,we welcome suggestions from the residents to improve the system,” he said.