RTI questions GU V-C’s right to go on leave

[karira]

As reported by Kapil Dave in dnaindia.com on 8 July 2008:
DNA - India - RTI questions GU V-C’s right to go on leave - Daily News & Analysis

RTI questions GU V-C’s right to go on leave

Information commissioner orders the varsity to provide data on his absence within 10 days

GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat University (GU) vice-chancellor (V-C) Parimal Trivedi will now have to furnish details of his attendance since he took over charge.

Acting on a complaint, state RTI commissioner RN Das has ordered GU PIO (Public Information Officer) to provide this information within 10 days.

GU Arts department’s dean Dr Pradip Prajapati filed an RTI application in the university seeking records of Trivedi’s attendance.

In the application, he had asked: Whom did the V-C inform when he went on leave? With whose permission did he go out of the state? Who was given charge in his absence?

The university first declined to furnish the information stating such personal details could not be given under the RTI Act.

After the applicant complained to the RTI commission, the university sought one months’ time to furnish the information.

Hearing the applicant and university representative, the commissioner said information sought about V-C’s attendance did not relate to his personal life, but pertained to his service as a public servant.

Going by the law, it is also mandatory to inform and take the permission of the chancellor of the university (governor of the state) before going on leave and so, the university can not deny any such information, the commission said.

The commissioner has ordered to provide the information to the applicant within 10 days.

Trivedi is facing the heat in many RTI cases. Around 10 complaints and appeals are in various stages in the RTI commission, seeking different information about Trivedi and decisions taken by him in the university.

The commissioner has issued orders to the university regarding recruitment in MEd department (in which Trivedi has been alleged to recruit his wife ignoring other competent candidates).

Action taken by the university regarding the governor’s July 6, 2005 letter has also been argued.