Sanjay Kumar Mishra /Chandigarh
The Department of Higher Education (DHE), UT Chandigarh, is facing serious allegations of violating the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Despite a 76-day delay—far exceeding the statutory limit of 30 days—in responding to an RTI application, the department has failed to take action against its Central Public Information Officer (CPIO). Shockingly, the First Appellate Authority (FAA) has also not recommended any disciplinary measures to the Director or Secretary of Education.
RTI activist Dr. Rajinder K. Singla has exposed the mockery of transparency in the DHE office, revealing that officials initially denied receiving the RTI application, only to promise action when challenged. He strongly objected to such dishonest and evasive tactics, which were not recorded in the FAA's orders. Citing judicial precedents, Dr. Singla emphasized that delays in providing RTI information must result in strict disciplinary action and penalties.
(SUBHEAD)The case pertains to the role of Chandigarh’s Director of Higher Education in obtaining vigilance clearance for recruitment expansion in a case which is currently pending before the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Chandigarh. The Chandigarh Police had registered an FIR against alleged tampering with official records and manipulating regulations, resulting in a financial loss to the government exchequer. Certain documents were now required by Dr Singla to draft the contest petition to challenge cancellation report of police submitted before the court.
However, when an RTI application was submitted on November 21, 2024, seeking related documents, the CPIO chose to suppress the information. To date, neither has any information been provided, nor has any disciplinary action been initiated against the responsible officer.
Dr. Singla further alleged that DHE officials are deliberately obstructing transparency to conceal financial and administrative irregularities, corruption, and collusion with the police. He has demanded strict disciplinary action against the CPIO and called on the authorities to clarify whether the First Appeal process genuinely ensures transparency or has been reduced to a mere formality.
This case raises serious concerns about RTI Act compliance and the growing impunity of public officials, who continue to suppress crucial information without accountability.