RTI activists flay Savitribai Phule Pune University move to appointment of public information officer on contract | Pune News
Savitribai Phule Pune University has come under fire for its plan to appoint a public information officer on a contractual basis as prominent RTI activists say this crucial role must be handled by a permanent employee of the institution.
“On behalf of RTI Katta, we wish to bring to your notice a matter of serious concern regarding the recent notification by Savitribai Phule Pune University for the appointment of an Information Officer on a temporary, contractual basis. As per the announcement, this position is to be filled using university funds, with applications invited between September 11, 2024, and September 30, 2024. We believe that this decision undermines the very principles of transparency that public institutions are obligated to maintain, especially under the Right to Information Act 2005,” the activists wrote to Vice-Chancellor Suresh Gosavi.
Among others, the letter is signed by prominent RTI activists such as Vijay Kumbhar, Shailesh Gandhi, Mahesh Zagade, Pralhad Kachare, Jugal Rathi, Sunil Ahya and Mohammad Afzal.
Vijay Kumbhar said the RTI Act envisions the role of an information officer as a crucial part of ensuring that public authorities uphold transparency and accountability by providing accurate and timely information.
“It is implied in the Act that this role must be handled by a permanent officer, a regular employee of the institution, who can safeguard the integrity of the institution over time. In general, the responsibility of Public Information Officers (PIOs) is assigned as an additional charge to permanent employees,” the letter further said.“The RTI Act, specifically under Section 5(1), mandates that every public authority designate existing officers or employees as Public Information Officers (PIOs) to enable access to information. These appointments must cover all administrative units and offices necessary for public inquiries, ensuring consistent adherence to the provisions of the RTI Act.”
Jugal Rathi said the appointment of a public information officer on a contractual basis is not in line with the spirit or intent of the RTI Act.
“The decision to appoint a temporary, contractual Information Officer raises significant concerns about the university’s commitment to upholding the RTI Act. Such a temporary arrangement risks compromising the long-term efficiency of the RTI mechanism and calls into question the continuity, neutrality, and seriousness with which this critical function is being managed,” the activists wrote.
“It is disappointing that a prestigious institution like Savitribai Phule Pune University would resort to such a temporary and unclear measure, which could potentially weaken the effectiveness of its information dissemination systems. In view of the above, we respectfully urge the university to reconsider this decision and appoint a permanent, full-time Information Officer, in alignment with the legal provisions and the university’s commitment to transparency. Such a step will help preserve the credibility of the university’s RTI processes and reinforce the public trust placed in this renowned institution. We hope for your prompt and thoughtful response to this critical issue,” they added.
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