New Delhi: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the universities of Delhi and Gujarat to provide proper responses to RTI applications seeking details of education qualification of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Information commissioner M Sridhar Acharyulu directed the Prime Minister’s Office to make available details such as roll number and degree number of the Prime Minister to the Delhi University so that the commission can search the records and facilitate disclosure of information to RTI applicants.
Delhi University had claimed that unless the roll number of a student is not provided, it would be difficult to search the records.
The CIC’s order came a day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote a letter to Acharyulu saying he does not object to government records about him being made public and wondered why the Commission wants to “hide” information on Modi’s educational degree.
“There are allegations that Narendra Modi does not have any degree. The people of the country want to know the truth. Despite that you have refused to make records regarding his degree public. Why did you do this? This is wrong,” Kejriwal had said in his letter.
In August 2015, the Prime Minister’s Office rejected the RTI plea of the Ahmedabad activist who demanded the copy of Modi’s MA degree. Subsequently, a campaign was launched on social media demanding Modi to clarify his stand and come out with the truth.
Electorates do not doubt the capability of their Prime Minister, but are skeptical on whether he faked an education degree to project himself as highly educated. Most of the people were surprised by the stubborn stand taken by PMO.
The CIC is the final appellate authority in the matter pertaining to RTI. However, the decision can be challenged through a writ petition before any Bigh Court in the country.
(With PTI Inputs)
