Whispers Forum

The appellant requested pertaining to the selection of a student in the PGP 24-26 program. He requested to confirm whether Saransh Upadhyaya has been selected on a seat earmarked for EWS (Economically Weaker Section) quota at IIM Ahmedabad. Alternatively, he requested to confirm the quota on which the selection has been done. The PIO replied that the information contains personal information of student. Hence, information cannot be provided under Section 8(1)(e) of RTI Act, 2005. The CIC noted that the appellant has sought for the personal information of third party, disclosure of which has no relationship to any public activity or interest. Hence, the sought information is exempted under Section 8(1) (e) & (j) of the RTI Act, 2005.
Comments
Professional records, including qualification, performance, evaluation reports, ACRs, disciplinary proceedings, etc. are all personal information. The appellant has to establish larger public interest to seek any personal information relating to a third party.
Citation: Satish Chhiber v. Indian Institute of Management: Ahmedabad, Second Appeal No. CIC/IIMAH/A/2024/629101; Date of Decision: 10.10.202
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com

The Lokpal ordering seven luxury BMW cars costing Rs 5 crores by a constitutional body for its members and Chairperson , out of taxpayers fund,is blatantly unjust and unfair. This goes against the spirit of its anti-corruption mandate. It should have observed austerity in expenditure in the face of several priority projects awaiting clearances and the present high rate of inflation in the country. Self-restraint should have been exercised.
Has the Lokpal assessed the repercussions of procuring such high-end use cars,on other organizations like the Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts, Election
Commission,UPSC,C&AG,ministers,CIC,union Secretaries, states’chief secretaries etc.The Lokpal’s action is bound to open a pandora’s box as the Government will find it difficult to resist demands from other quarters. Urgent action is needed to stop the purchase before demands from others are received
A K Saxena (Former civil servant)

The centre is reportedly mulling a proposal of "fast-track deputation" of bureaucrats to man the public sector utilities. The proposed move amounts to “fixing square pegs in round holes”.Unarguably,we need more professionals than administrators, to run the public sector. According to management experts,over-bureaucratisation of public sector is antithetical to the concept of corporate culture. The competent authority needs to keep the advice in mind before proceeding further in the matter.
A K Saxena (Former civil servant)

Vide RTI application dated 29.04.2024, the appellant sought information about the Provident Fund Statement, PF trust being declared unexempted, his PF amount transferred to EPFO department etc. but did not receive any response. During hearing, upon the CIC’s query on not replying to the appellant within stipulated time limit, the respondent submitted that the earlier CPIO retired, and he has recently joined the respondent’s office and was not aware of the online RTI application. To this, the CIC questioned how an online RTI application can go unnoticed. In terms of the information to be furnished, the CIC observed that the respondent gave an appropriate reply to the appellant vide written submission dated 07.10.2025. Therefore, no further intervention of the Commission is required. Further, the CIC took a serious view of the fact that the respondent did not reply to the appellant within stipulated time limit as per the RTI Act and issued a show cause notice to the CPIO as to why action should not be initiated against him/her for not replying to the appellant’s RTI request within prescribed time limit.
Comments
One of the basic tenets of the RTI Act is that an applicant should receive a reply within the prescribed time limit. With the digital tracking of the RTI Application, it is incumbent upon the PIO to reply as per the prescribed time period or face consequences.
Citation: Biju Soman v. Hindustan Antibiotics Limited, Second Appeal No. CIC/HINAL/A/2024/134731; Date of Decision:15.10.2025
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com

In India, the police consider themselves as a law unto themselves. Barring a few exceptions, the police officials do not like to be questioned, considering it an assault on their authority. Their understanding of the progressive measures / laws is poor and their worldview is limited to considering their own selves as supreme - investigator and jury roles merge in their perception. The training levels are poor and in certain situations, the pressures are extremely high. The response of the CPIO in this case is an indication of the ills which prevails.
Bhuvneshwari Kumari

Without formally recognizing the Taliban govt,India is engaging with an Afghan delegation led by its foreign minister. Paradoxical.It has also attracted the notice of the critics.However, there is a contrarian side to it.
Under compulsions of realpolitik, India is fully justified in using the talibans against Pakistan’s nefarious designs
TTP continued its attacks on Pakistan even while the Afghan foreign minister toured India.He also warned Pakistan from Indian soil.Pakistan and China are uneasy with the fast-changing geopolitical developments.
Only, the future will tell us whether India's stand had been in the right direction !The moot point is : Whether, the talibans, as Afghanistan’s ruling dispensation, would be India's long term strategic partner,especially when there are no permanent friends and permanent enemies in international politics.
A K Saxena (Former civil servant)