SRINAGAR: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has dealt with a series of Right to Information (RTI) cases from Jammu and Kashmir raising questions over faculty recruitment and promotions in higher educational institutions, alleged anomalies in staffing at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, and documents used for GST registration, while reiterating the obligation of public authorities to ensure transparency and provide complete information under the RTI Act.
One of the cases before the Commission pertained to the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), where an RTI applicant sought detailed information regarding the recruitment of Assistant Professors under Advertisement Notice Nos. 01 of 2023 and 03 of 2024. The applicant requested the names and categories of selected candidates, interview marks awarded by each member of the selection committee, and details of officials involved in the recruitment process, alleging that complete information had not been disclosed.
In another complaint concerning IUST, the applicant questioned the promotion process from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, seeking copies of the promotion criteria, details of research papers considered for promotion and records showing whether the university had verified publications to ensure they were neither predatory nor fraudulent. The RTI also sought information on whether the university had deviated from the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines while granting promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS).
The Commission also heard a second appeal involving Government Medical College Srinagar, where an RTI applicant raised concerns over the sanctioned strength and vacancy position in the ECG Unit. The appellant claimed that while official records reflected 20 sanctioned Level-6 posts, 21 employees were shown as working in the cadre. The RTI sought clarification regarding the availability of vacancies, records of the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC), reservation roster implementation and the basis on which promotions had been granted.
Another RTI case involved the State Taxes Department, where an applicant sought copies of tenancy and ownership documents submitted for obtaining GST registration by a commercial establishment operating from Fairdeal Shopping Complex in Srinagar. Alleging that the documents relied upon for registration were questionable, the applicant sought rent deeds, authorisation documents and other records submitted before the tax authorities. The department, however, denied disclosure citing provisions of the GST Act and exemptions relating to third-party information under the RTI Act.
After examining the records and hearing the parties, the Commission disposed of the matters while reiterating that public authorities are expected to maintain transparency by providing complete, timely and legally permissible information under the RTI Act. At the same time, it observed that RTI proceedings are meant to facilitate access to records available with public authorities and are not intended to adjudicate disputes relating to recruitment, promotions or service matters.
