Question: the school refused to disclose the information in writing on the ground that his organisation does not come under RTI

[Dr. M. Faiyazuddin]

Hello.
I sought some information from a reputed Christian Missionary School, Jharkhand but the school refused to disclose the information in writing on the ground that his organisation does not come under RTI. I forwarded the matter to CIC in July, 2008 but forgot to sign the documents. Still I have not received any response from CIC. What should I Do? Please guide me.

[DineshK]

As per RTI Act you can not ask information from an establishment unless it is owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Government.

[advocate rajesh]

i agree with dineshk

[taurus]

But many of the schools run by various organisations get govt aid. If the aid is substantial then they are also covered under the RTI. The status of the school in question has to be examined in this light.

[jps50]

U can seek the info on any school by filing RTI application with SPIO of concerned District Education Office of state govt. This info can be provided under section 2[ f] of RTI act. CIC has no jurisdiction to state govt related info.

[DineshK]

You can ask the information through District Eduction Officer of the school. Certain returns are filed by all recognized schools on regular basis.

DEO can provide you all that information which is within his scope.

[abhi987]

Assalamwaleikum M. Faiyazuddin,

Idd Mubarak brother,

Welcome to this portal.

1) Christian Missionary School may not be covered under sec 2(a) of the Act:

Sec 2(a) "appropriate Government" means in relation to a public authority which is established, constituted, owned, controlled or substantially financed by funds provided directly or indirectly—
(i) by the Central Government or the Union territory administration, the Central Government;
(ii) by the State Government, the State Government;

But Christian Missionary School may be covered under section 2(f) of the Act:

Sec. 2(f) "information" means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force;

Hence the Christian Missionary School may be covered under the RTI Act through the Public Authority where they are registered.

Please file your RTI applications with the Public Authority where the Christian Missionary School is registered, who in turn will forward your application/ queries to the School and get the information for you.

I feel it should be made compulsoury for every organisation whether private of public, a school, a small business house, an enterpreneur etc to publish in the preface of their organisations brochure/ (in this case calendar given to each student) the name, address and telephone numbers of the public authority with which they are registered, and the details of the relevant PIO of the same.

[Dr. M. Faiyazuddin]

Originally Posted by DineshK

You can ask the information through District Eduction Officer of the school. Certain returns are filed by all recognized schools on regular basis.

DEO can provide you all that information which is within his scope.

But how to get addresses of DEO in various districts?

[Dr. M. Faiyazuddin]

But how to get addresses of DEO in various districts?
M. Faiyazuddin

[Dr. M. Faiyazuddin]

Originally Posted by abhi987

Assalamwaleikum M. Faiyazuddin,

Idd Mubarak brother,

Welcome to this portal.

1) Christian Missionary School may not be covered under sec 2(a) of the Act:

Sec 2(a) "appropriate Government" means in relation to a public authority which is established, constituted, owned, controlled or substantially financed by funds provided directly or indirectly—
(i) by the Central Government or the Union territory administration, the Central Government;
(ii) by the State Government, the State Government;

But Christian Missionary School may be covered under section 2(f) of the Act:

Sec. 2(f) "information" means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force;

Hence the Christian Missionary School may be covered under the RTI Act through the Public Authority where they are registered.

Please file your RTI applications with the Public Authority where the Christian Missionary School is registered, who in turn will forward your application/ queries to the School and get the information for you.

I feel it should be made compulsoury for every organisation whether private of public, a school, a small business house, an enterpreneur etc to publish in the preface of their organisations brochure/ (in this case calendar given to each student) the name, address and telephone numbers of the public authority with which they are registered, and the details of the relevant PIO of the same.

Thanks for your extensive reply. I follow the action.

[jps50]

Since large number of members are facing problem of accessing info of private entities, I have yesterday posted a blog HOW TO GET INFORMATION OF PRIVATE ENTITY? and is available at http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/blogs/...under-rti.html

[jps50]

For locating PIO of DEO pl visit my article in guide section athttp://www.rtiindia.org/guide/how-to-use-your-right-to-information-4/how-to-locate-a-pio-under-rti-act-2005-27/. If you want districtwise info file only one appln with PIO of State Ministry of Education at capital. U can get address by visiting State official website. Ask him to give you required details districtwise. U can name few districts if U do not want for all districts of entire state.