RTI Appeal Filed Against UP CM Office for “Incomplete and Misleading” Information on NHM U.P. Recruitment Grievance
An RTI First Appeal has been filed against the Chief Minister’s Office of Uttar Pradesh, accusing the Public Information Officer (PIO) of providing incomplete, misleading, and false information regarding a public grievance related to the National Health Mission (NHM) U.P. recruitment process.
The applicant, Yogi M. P. Singh, claims the CM Office improperly disposed of his grievance and subsequently failed to provide accountability under the RTI Act.
In his appeal, Singh elaborates on the significance of transparency and adherence to proper procedural norms, asserting that the lack of accurate information not only undermines the integrity of the recruitment process but also erodes public trust in governmental institutions.
He argues that the mishandling of his request reflects a broader issue of inefficiency and negligence within the office, calling for systematic reforms to ensure that citizens’ grievances are treated with the seriousness they deserve.
Furthermore, he emphasizes the need for better training of PIOs to facilitate a more accountable and responsive public service that aligns with the principles of the Right to Information.
This situation highlights the crucial role of the RTI Act in fostering transparent governance and protecting citizens’ rights to seek information and hold public officials accountable.
For more context on this matter, Singh requests a thorough review of the existing processes and the implementation of mechanisms that promote prompt and accurate responses to RTI queries.
Case Overview NHM U.P. recruitment and transparency
The issue originates from a public grievance filed concerning the non-issuance of a waiting list for over 17,000 contractual vacancies under NHM Uttar Pradesh/NHM U.P., which were advertised in November 2022.
This situation has raised significant concerns among job seekers who have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to secure employment within the health sector. Many individuals who applied for these positions feel frustrated and disheartened due to the lack of transparency and communication regarding the selection process.
The Chief Minister’s Office, in response to this mounting public outcry, closed the grievance with the remark “प्रकरण का सम्बन्ध पोर्टल से नहीं है” (The matter is not related to the portal), which many believe inadequately addresses the pressing issue at hand and fails to offer a satisfactory explanation or a solution to the concerns raised about the hiring process and the delays faced in generating a waiting list for potential candidates.
When the applicant, Mr. Singh, filed an RTI application to seek reasons and details behind this closure, the response was deemed unsatisfactory, leading to the filing of a First Appeal.
Key Details and Timeline
1. The Original Public Grievance
- Grievance Number: GOVUP/E/2024/0081837
- Complainant: Yogi M. P. Singh
- Date of Receipt: 13/11/2024
- Subject: Inquiry into the delayed release of the waiting list for 17,000+ contractual vacancies (ANM, Staff Nurse, Lab Technician & Pharmacist) under NHM, UP (Ref. No: 642/SPMU/NHM/2022-23/6200). The grievance cited prior communications and even an Allahabad High Court directive on the matter.
- Status: Case Closed on 14/11/2024.
- Remarks: “प्रकरण का सम्बन्ध पोर्टल से नहीं है” (The matter is not related to the portal).
- Officer Concerned: Shri Arvind Mohan (Joint Secretary), Government of Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Secretariat, Lucknow.
2. The RTI Application (u/s 6(1))
Following the disposal of the grievance, an RTI was filed to seek clarification.
- Registration Number: DOCMO/R/2024/61566
- Date of Filing: 30/11/2024
- Public Authority: Chief Minister Office
- PIO Approached: Vinod Sharma (L.S. Sec-3), Section Officer
- Phone No: 9454412736
- Email Id: vsls32165@gmail.com
3. The First Appeal (u/s 19(1))
Alleging an inadequate response to the RTI, a First Appeal was filed.
- Registration Number: DOCMO/A/2024/60176
- Date of Filing: 19/12/2024
- Ground for Appeal: Provided Incomplete, Misleading or False Information.
- First Appellate Authority (FAA): Anjna Tripathi (LS-3), Under Secretary
- Phone No: 9454411282
- Email Id: anjna.11282@gov.in
Information Sought vs. Information Provided
The appeal highlights a complete lack of response to the specific queries raised in the RTI application.
| # | Information Sought by Applicant | Status as per Appeal |
| 1 | The reason why the grievance was deemed “not related to the portal,” asserting that the “right to reason is the indispensable part of the sound administrative system. | No reason provided. |
| 2 | The name and designation of the CM Office staff member who made the comment that the grievance does not concern the portal. | Name and designation not provided. |
| 3 | The specific role of the concerned officer, Shri Arvind Mohan (Joint Secretary), in redressing grievances from the public grievance portal. | No information made available. |
| 4 | The name and designation of the supervising officer under whom the grievance was closed with the aforementioned remark. | Not made available. |
| 5 | The reason why the Chief Minister’s Office is allegedly avoiding a matter of wide public interest, especially when the Central Government and the Allahabad High Court have directed the NHM to consider candidates’ representations. | Not made available. |
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Applicant’s Prayer and Relief Sought
In his appeal, Yogi M. P. Singh strongly contends that the CM Office is deliberately avoiding its responsibility. He states, “You are a public servant and that is your duty. For these 3rd grade services you are being provided huge emoluments of salary from the public exchequer.”
He alleges that the office is intentionally not forwarding the grievance concerning the NHM to support what he terms the “illegal stand” of the health mission. The primary relief sought is the complete and accurate information as requested in his original RTI application.
The outcome of this appeal, which now rests with the First Appellate Authority, Anjna Tripathi, will be a crucial indicator of the accountability mechanisms within the state’s highest office.
Nodal Officer Details:
- Name: Sanjay Chaturvedi
- Email-ID: sanjay.10972@gov.in
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