RTI applicants end up paying Rs 27 to get a photocopy of information sought through RTI from Barkatullah University. Reason: the university doesn’t accept cash. Left with no option, RTI applicant has to cough up bank commission of Rs 25 for Rs-2 challan.
Barkatullah University deputy registrar B Bharti said: "We do not accept cash. We ask applicants to come with a bank challan if they want photo-copies."
When pointed out, former chief information commissioner (CIC) PP Tiwari said the applicants could not be forced to deposit money through challan or postal order. "It is the applicant’s choice to deposit money as per his convenience. It is wrong, if the university is forcing applicants and taking more money than the prescribed amount," Tiwari said.
Bharti went on saying the RTI applicants have become a big headache for the university. "I have to engage half of the staff in answering queries asked in the RTI. Most of them are fraud." As it is, the university is facing manpower problem.
"The university daily receives almost 25 applications under the RTI. One can imagine the time spent on answering queries. People even asked for time-table of ten exams held 10 years ago," Bharti said. A complaint in this regard has already been filed with the CIC office, an RTI applicant said, adding, the BU is violating the RTI Act.