Journalism of Courage
The University of Pune (UoP) does not have consolidated information about the number of examinations it conducted in 2012-13 and also about the total fees charged from students appearing for these examinations,an RTI query has revealed.
Moreover,varsitys RTI department has refused to divulge information of the number of examiners and moderators involved in assessment work of students answer-sheets and money received for the efforts they put in,inviting criticism for its highly unjust and invalid response.
Speaking to Newsline,activist Siddharthshankar Sharma said information sought under RTI assumes lot of significance considering a latest case unearthed wherein one engineering faculty allegedly moderated 355 answersheets in 200 minutes,violating all rules and regulations pertaining to moderation. The information like number of examiners and moderators roped in for the Centralised Admission Process can throw light on the burden on each teacher, he said. UoPs senate member Shashikant Tikote said,The PIOs divulge selective information. Any information that could pose difficulty before university administration is denied in the name of rules, he said.
Another senate member Shridhar Deo said the issue of improper working of varsitys RTI department would be raised during the forthcoming senate meeting scheduled next month and even adjournment motion could be brought on the issue.
Varsity Public Information Officer Meghana Sawant-Bhosale refused to speak on the issue. Registrar Narendra Kadu, the first appellate authority,said fresh instructions would be issued to varsitys PIOs about disposing of applications on merit.
