Educational certificates public documents

[sidmis]

'Educational certificates public documents'
as reported in Times of India8 Nov 2008, TNN

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Information Commission (GIC) has ruled that certificates submitted supporting educational qualifications of a person employed in a public authority cant be denied to anyone seeking it under Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Under RTI, Dinesh Anajwala had sought copies of certificates from Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), based on which Pradeep Jhala was selected for post of deputy municipal commissioner (DyMC).

He also mentioned that Jhala was earlier the municipal secretary. SMCs public information officer (PIO) replied that Jhala had BA, LLB degrees but no other information could be given. That information was personal and had been given to the corporation in a fiduciary relationship.

Anajwala submitted before GIC that Jhala is a public servant and in the matter of recruitment of public servants there are rules and selection criteria which are both in public domain. Since educational qualifications are essential to decide eligibility of a person for a position, a citizen has the right to seek such information.

SMC submitted that there was no larger public interest involved in the disclosure and denial of information was within the scope of exempted information.

GIC observed that certificates proving educational qualifications are public documents, but they do contain personal information. However, once a person has assumed charge and becomes a public servant, that information cant be treated as personal or an unwarranted invasion of privacy.

SMC has been directed by GIC to provide copies of the certificates of Jhala to Anajwala within 10 days.

'Educational certificates public documents'-Ahmedabad-Cities-The Times of India