Should Universities provide copy of research theses under RTI?
2 Jun, 2013
Background
The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Jawahar Lal Nehru University (JLNU) seeking information regarding M.Phil, Ph.D. and D.Lit degree awarded to various scholars in Sanskrit etc. He also wanted the copies of the theses submitted by the scholars.The Public Information Officer (PIO) supplied the list of scholars who were awarded M.Phil and Ph.D degrees. Regarding the D.Lit degree he informed the appellant that no such degree has been awarded to anyone.
Proceedings
During the hearing the before Central Information Commission (CIC), the respondent submitted that it is not possible to supply copies of the theses to the appellant as this would put undue strain on the resources of the University. The respondent also stated that they have no objection to give inspection of the theses to the appellant in their Central Library on a mutually convenient date and time.
View of CIC
The Commission held that it was not practical possible to supply copies of such a large number of dissertations’ to the appellant. These dissertations were maintained at the Universities for consultation by successive generation on scholars. The CIC ruled that the appellant has liberty to visit the Central Library to consult these dissertations’.
Citation: Mr. Dhaval kumar Kirit kumar Patel v. Jawahar Lal Nehru University in File No. CIC/RM/A/2012/000414/LS
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2013/CIC/1327
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission