Assam Chief Information Commissioner H S Das has said that information regarding private educational institutions fall within the ambit of Right to Information Act, 2005.
Das, in a recent order passed in connection with a special appeal petition filed against a Guwahati-based private school, stated that as these schools come under the purview of the Assam Non-Government Educational Institutions (Regulation and Management) Act, 2006 through the concerned Directors of Education of the Government of Assam, as such fall within the ambit of the RTI Act, an official release said today.
The State Chief Information Commissioner ordered that in exercise of powers conferred under Sections 10 (xvii) and 10 (xviii) of the Assam Non Government Educational Institutions (Regulation and Management) Act, 2006, the concerned Directors of Education, Assam can access information from any non-government educational institution.
Das noted that under these Sections it is a statutory obligation of the non-government educational institutions falling within the purview of this Act to furnish such reports and information as may be required by the Director.
All records of such non-government educational institutions shall be open to inspection by any officer authorised by the state government or the Directors, as the case may be, at any time and that the institution shall furnish such information.
The petitioner had filed the appeal after the Principal of the school refused to furnish information citing that it was a private institution and not a "public authority" and hence does not fall under the purview of the RTI Act.
Das disposed off the appeal and directed the petitioner to visit the website of the school and for any information not available in the website, the petitioner may approach the Director, Secondary Education within 15 days from the receipt of the order.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
