Is it mandatory for Delhi High Court to publish all orders and decisions in Hindi?

Background

The appellant sought information regarding publication of all orders, decisions and other important public announcements in both English & Hindi languages while stating that by virtue of section 4(4) All materials shall be disseminated taking into consideration the cost effectiveness, local language and the most effective method of communication in that local area and the information should be easily accessible, to the extent possible in electronic format with the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, available free or at such cost of the medium or the print cost price as may be prescribed. Explanation - For the purposes of sub-sections (3) and (4), “disseminated” means making known or communicated the information to the public through notice boards, newspapers, public announcements, media broadcasts, the internet or any other means, including inspection of offices of any public authority. All materials shall be disseminated taking into consideration the cost effectiveness, local language and the most effective method of communication in that local area and the information should be easily accessible, to the extent possible in electronic format with the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, available free or at such cost of the medium or the print cost price as may be prescribed. Explanation - For the purposes of sub-sections (3) and (4), “disseminated” means making known or communicated the information to the public through notice boards, newspapers, public announcements, media broadcasts, the internet or any other means, including inspection of offices of any public authority. of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, all such information was supposed to be published in the local regional language. Under section 18 of RTI Act, the appellant filed a complaint with the Central Information Commission (CIC) contending that the Delhi High Court has not provided any transcript of public importance in Hindi language despite having enough resources for the same. During the hearing before the Commission the respondents submitted that the original RTI application had never been received in the High Court. They also submitted that the copy of the application had been examined and it was found that the appellant had not sought any particular information. The further clarified that the Delhi High Court continued to use English as its language of transaction and did not conduct business in Hindi language.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) observed that the RTI application is more in the nature of a representation to the High Court to use Hindi language as the medium of its transaction in place of English. Such a request is beyond the scope of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. If the appellant is serious about his representation, he should find out the appropriate forum to take up this matter. The Commission rejected the appeal stating that there is no further information which the PIO need send to the complainant. 

Comments

Section 4(4) All materials shall be disseminated taking into consideration the cost effectiveness, local language and the most effective method of communication in that local area and the information should be easily accessible, to the extent possible in electronic format with the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, available free or at such cost of the medium or the print cost price as may be prescribed. Explanation - For the purposes of sub-sections (3) and (4), “disseminated” means making known or communicated the information to the public through notice boards, newspapers, public announcements, media broadcasts, the internet or any other means, including inspection of offices of any public authority. All materials shall be disseminated taking into consideration the cost effectiveness, local language and the most effective method of communication in that local area and the information should be easily accessible, to the extent possible in electronic format with the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, available free or at such cost of the medium or the print cost price as may be prescribed. Explanation - For the purposes of sub-sections (3) and (4), “disseminated” means making known or communicated the information to the public through notice boards, newspapers, public announcements, media broadcasts, the internet or any other means, including inspection of offices of any public authority. says “All materials shall be disseminated taking into consideration the cost effectiveness, local language and the most effective method of communication in that local area and the information should be easily accessible, to the extent possible in electronic format with the Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer, as the case may be, available free or at such cost of the medium or the print cost price as may be prescribed”.

A large amount of official work in India is done in English. Dissemination of information in local languages in such circumstances would be a really difficult.

Citation: Mr. Mani Ram Sharma v. High Court of Delhi in File No.CIC/SM/C/2011/001406