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UGC to bring Right to Information guidelines

Staff Reporter

Students, parents will be able to know little more than what available to them about the working of their colleges

NEW DELHI: From taking the curtain off the admission process to finally giving students a chance to know who makes the rules for them and how, college corridors across the country are all set finally to offer more than just academic information to students.

With the University Grants Commission (UGC) likely to release a draft of the Right to Information policy guideline for universities to follow as part of the implementation of the recently enacted Right to Information Act, 2005, students and parents may just be able to know a little more than was available to them till now about the working of their college.

Having come into force on June 15, 2005, the Act gives citizens the right to access information under the control of public authorities in order to promote transparency and accountability.

Although the UGC had issued a notification asking all Central and State universities and colleges as well as those financed directly or indirectly by the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure the implementation of the Act's various provisions, most colleges in the Capital are still waiting to hear from the UGC on what all has to be covered under the provision.

While many colleges actually maintain that students already have access to most of the information they need, many are not even aware of the Commission coming out with a draft on the issue. "We are already giving students all the necessary information. So I am not sure what else could be possibly added. Students already have access to most of the information," is how the principal of a prominent North Campus college put it.

To be made available through the college or university website, many feel the Right to Information Act will help increase the accountability of all those involved in decision making.

"As of now we have no idea as to on what the transparency is being expected. Our admissions and accounts are transparent and as far as we are concerned it means we are answerable to students. They have the right to question where their money is being put. For example, if we take money for computers from students they have the right to know where it has been spent. People can question if there are no regular classes," pointed out the Principal of Sri Venkateswara College, Dr. A.S. Reddy.

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