Almost eight months after receiving a legal notice over alleged illegal provisions in Ordinance 182 pertaining to giving students access to photocopies of their answer books,the University of Pune has finally scrapped it by bringing in new one that ensures students get photocopies of revaluated answer books,among other benefits. The new ordinance,which has been made applicable with effect from October-November 2013 examinations,however,has drawn criticism for a few provisions that still continue to contravene enabling provisions of the RTI Act and SC ruling in related matter. Other provisions in the ordinance,however,have been welcomed by experts. Newsline had carried out sustained coverage on the issue since it came up first in March (see picture). The management council meeting of University of Pune,in its meeting held on September 19,approved the new ordinance 184 (A) and (B) regarding supply of photocopies of assessed answer sheets. The meeting also cleared amended ordinance seven regarding amendment of results. Educational counsellor and civic activist Vivek Velankar,who had served a legal notice to UoP in March over the controversial Ordinance 182 and followed up the issue with the university administration,said UoP has rectified most of the illegal provisions in Ordinance 182,but the new ordinance still has three illegal provisions. UoP circular number 239,which notifies the new ordinance that substitutes Ordinance 182,states that students can seek photocopies of answer books within 10 days of declaration of results. As per RTI Act and the judgment delivered by the apex court in the matter of issuing photocopies to students,educational institutions are duty-bound to receive applications for photocopies under RTI Act till the answer books are preserved. In case of UoP,this preservation period is three months and therefore introducing time limit of 10 days is illegal, he said. The circular also stipulates that the university shall not be liable for failure or delay in supplying photocopies of evaluated/re-evaluated answer books due to any reason beyond its control. Velankar said none of the provisions of the RTI Act justify the university stand. In fact,there is a provision of penalty to the tune of Rs 250 per day for delay in supply of information and hence the illegal clause in the new ordinance is illegal and detrimental to the spirit of RTI, he said. He also raised objection to the provision in the latest ordinance,which states that the examinee shall be the sole custodian of the photocopies and shall not transfer the same to anybody for any purpose. The ordinance further adds that the examinee shall refrain himself from putting such photocopies to any misuse that might jeopardise the reputation of the university. As per the RTI Act,no such restriction on the use of information can be imposed. The candidates pays exorbitant fee of Rs 500 to get photocopy of answer books and hence become the owners. While the new ordinance and amended ordinance seven regarding amendment of results have been sent to the Governor for approval,UoP vice-chancellor Wasudeo Gade has effected its implementation in the meantime as per law. The statute committee deliberated for almost three months over what could be the provisions of the new ordinance in the light of law. Only then did the management council approve it, Gade said. New Vs old ordinance * Students can now get certified copies of revalued answer books. Earlier ordinance denied this facility and only allowed photocopies of evaluated answer books * As per the earlier ordinance,students could apply for photocopies of answer books of maximum three subjects. The new ordinance has lifted this limit * The new ordinance has brought down time period of supplying photocopies to students from 45 to 15 days Photocopies must for applying for revaluation The University of Pune has now made it mandatory for students to get photocopies of answer books first if they want to submit an application for revaluation of theory papers. It means aspirants would have to shell out Rs 750 for revaluation of each subject,considering fee of Rs 500 is being charged for issuing photocopy of answer books and another Rs 250 as revaluation fee. The condition imposed for revaluation process has drawn criticism from experts and students,who have termed it as unnecessary waste of time and money. It is noteworthy that the university has still not announced the exact timeframe for sharing revaluation results. The vice-chancellor,during a recently held senate meeting,had said that the proposal to fix a time limit was framed by university and it had been sent to the Governor for approval.
