Pune institute fears rti may trigger terror

The management college replied only after chief information commissioner intervened. A second RTI plea is pending in Maharashtra

Pune institute fears rti may trigger terror

The management college replied only after chief information commissioner intervened. A second RTI plea is pending in Maharashtra

How many terrorists have filed right to information (RTI) applications to get the details of plan outlay of buildings or installations they targeted?

But, if a Pune-based college is to be believed, the militants can actually do that and that too to mount an attack as big as 26/11.

It might seem far-fetched but the Indira Group of Institutions stopped just short of branding an RTI applicant a terrorist. The applicant had sought the building outlay of the Indira Institute of Management Studies, which is affiliated to the Pune University. The plea was turned down by the college administration, saying such details can be misused to mount terrorist attacks against the institute.

Vishwas Bhamburkar was working on some special project related to adventure sports with the Indira Group of Institutions from November 15, 2006 to December 20, 2007. During his stint, Bhamburkar got to know about some alleged "irregularities" and also that the provident fund deducted from the staff salary was not being deposited in the PF account.

"I also got to know that authorities violatedu00a0 the plan submitted to the government," Vishwas told MiD DAY.
Vishwas filed an RTI in February seeking details of the building plan and building use permission, and which structures were being used for running the MBA and MCA courses for which the National Board of Accreditation certified the institute.

When the institute authorities failed to reply on time, Vishwas moved the first appellate authorityu00a0-- the chairman of the Indira group of institutions.

In her reply to the RTI plea, the chairman, Tarita Shankar, said the institutions were not covered under RTI Act, 2005 and they have approached the local court to ascertain the status on the same.

However, Vishwas claimed that the institute authorities were trying to trivialize the issue. "The Indira group sought to approach the district courts and not the Information Commission, either at the state or the central level. University of Pune clearly states that all institutes affiliated to it are covered under the Act. If the Institute was indeed not covered under the law why would the institute website and their premises display boards about the appellate officer, public information officer and assistant public information officer?" he asked.

Dissatisfied with the institute's reply, Vishwas approached the Central Information Commissioner (CIC). His plea came up for hearing before the nodal information body in June.

The college finally responded to Vishwas' queries though three questions were ignored among which one pertained to the building outlay.

"Various important places and educational institutes in Pune have been threatened by terrorist groups. Basically the (building) plans are in custody of the society and not with the institute and in any case if the copies of the plans are given to said person, there is a likelihood of misuse of the same for activities like 26/11," the institute authorities told CIC.

The lawyers who represented the institute in the hearing before the central information panel questioned Vishwas' credentials. However, Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi rejected their contention, saying if they really believed so, they should take up the issue at another forum.

The lawyers further argued that since Indira Institute of Management was affiliated to Pune University, the CIC did not have jurisdiction and therefore, the plea was dismissed. Vishwas was directed to approach the Pune Bench of Maharashtra State Information Commission.

"I did so. Since I was not aware, I did not attach the second appeal fee of Rs.20/-. I, the Appellant wasn't even called. Even my submissions were not taken on record. However the respondent's submission, this time claiming that they are not a public authority, was taken cognizance of and thus the appeal was dismissed," Vishwas said.

He has now applied for a review/restoration/reopening of the second appeal with the Pune bench of Maharashtra State Information Commission. Vishwas had also approached the Governor of Maharashtra in this regard.

The Raj Bhavan has written to the CIC, Maharashtra Information Commission, to take up the matter. The same has been passed on to the Pune Bench of the information panel though an action is awaited.

The Other Side

"This guy is harassing us by filing repeated RTI pleas. The CIC has already quashed his plea. Moreover, there is no clear motive as to why would he need the building plan of the institute. Even if he claims that he has turned a social activist then why doesn't he go and demand the same from other institutions like us? Vishwas and his sister used to work for us and both of them have left."
Tarita Shankar, Chairperson, Indira Group of Institutes

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