Information regarding nature of duties of Medical Teachers in Govt. Medical Colleges as per MCI Rules & Regulations was denied claiming that the regulations are silent in this regard - CIC: This is an issue of public interest; Provide the information

Information regarding nature of duties of Medical Teachers in Govt. Medical Colleges as per MCI Rules and Regulations was denied claiming that the regulations are silent in this regard - Appellant: the academic content of setting of minimum teaching hours of a particular subject in a college has been set, but not the administrative content of how the college enforces the same - CIC: This is an issue of public interest; forward a copy of this order along with the RTI application filed by the appellant to seek comments from the Govt. Medical College, Nagpur - CIC: Provide the information within four weeks

Information sought:

The appellant sought information regarding nature of duties of Medical Teachers (Asst./Associate Professor and Professor) in Govt. Medical Colleges as per MCI Rules and Regulations.

Relevant facts emerging during hearing:

Both parties are present and heard. The appellant filed an RTI application on 20.07.2013, seeking the above information.PIO/Jt.Secy. in his reply informed the appellant that the queries are in the nature of eliciting opinion. The FAA in his order upheld the PIO’s decision.

The respondent stated that the Regulations are silent in this regard. The appellant stated that he is working as a Asst. Professor in the Govt. Medical College, Nagpur. He stated that there are two depts., namely, Public Health and Medical Teachers. He stated that his duties involve sitting in the OPD/casualty, VIP duties and others which are basic duties of the Public Health Dept. He stated that in doing these, his basic work of teaching is suffering. The respondent stated that the rules/regulations are to be implemented by the concerned state govt.. He stated that the academic content of setting of minimum teaching hours of a particular subject in a college is set by them, but not the administrative content of how the college enforces the same.

Decision:

After hearing the parties and on perusal of record, the Commission finds that this is an issue of public interest. The MCI has made its position clear in this regard that it is up to the Govt. Medical College to enforce the requirement of minimum teaching hours. The Commission directs PIO to forward a copy of this order along with the RTI application filed by the appellant and seek comments from the Govt. Medical College, Nagpur in this regard. This information shall be provided to the appellant, within four weeks of receipt of this order, under intimation to the Commission. In case no comments are received from Govt. Medical College, Nagpur, within four weeks, the same may also be intimated to the appellant, under intimation to the Commission. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.

(Yashovardhan Azad)

Information Commissioner

Citation: Shri Praveen Uttamrao Shingade v. Medical council of India in F.No.CIC/YA/A/2014/000731