RTI Appeal Exposes Delay and Evasion at MG Kashi Vidyapith University

The application filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act has escalated to a Second Appeal. As a result, it is now before the Uttar Pradesh Information Commission.
This situation has, thus, increased attention on Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith University in Varanasi. The focus is now on how the university handled a citizen’s query for information.
Activist Yogi M. P. Singh, for instance, filed the appeal (Appeal Registration No. A-20250901861). He alleged significant delays; moreover, he also claimed a misleading reply from the Public Information Officer (PIO). Additionally, the First Appellate Authority (FAA) completely neglected to act.

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The Goal: Seeking Transparency in University Staffing

On the 13th, May 2025, Mr. Singh filed an RTI application, a legal demand that allows citizens to seek information from government authorities. Specifically, he sought basic administrative information, which included details about the university’s operational procedures and transparency measures. His primary aim was to verify the university’s compliance with the Uttar Pradesh government’s transfer policies.
These policies are intended to guarantee fair and fair treatment of employees during departmental changes. Furthermore, these policies are designed to reduce corruption. They promote integrity in the educational system.
These policies also foster public trust in governmental institutions. Mr. Singh believed that by examining these records, he would uncover any discrepancies and hold the university accountable for its actions.

The information requested included:

• Posting details and joining dates for all Class I, II, III, and IV officers and employees.
• The total number of temporary staff, broken down by department.
• Details on the university’s desk rotation policy and whether it has ever been implemented.

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A Timeline of Alleged Obstruction ⏳

The path from the starting application to the Second Appeal shows a pattern. This pattern reveals non-compliance with the RTI Act’s statutory deadlines. It also shows violations of its principles.

1. RTI Application Filed: May 13, 2025
2. Reply Deadline (30 days): June 12, 2025
3. PIO’s Reply Received: July 11, 2025 (29 days late)

The PIO’s response was not only delayed but also evasive. The reply stated:

All the information sought by you is, furthermore, available on the university website http://www.mgkvp.ac.in. Nonetheless, the question ‘why’ should not be answered, and thus, the information should not be so detailed. Moreover, it should not affect the efficiency of the concerned public authority. So, disproportionate diversion of resources in its collection should be avoided.

4. First Appeal Filed: July 15, 2025
5. FAA Decision: No decision rendered. The FAA did not adjudicate the appeal within the legally mandated 30-45 day period.
6. Second Appeal Filed: September 22, 2025

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Grounds for the Second Appeal: A Case for Accountability ⚖️

In his appeal to the State Information Commission, Mr. Singh has laid out four critical grounds challenging the university’s conduct:

• Gross Delay & Deemed Refusal: The PIO’s 29-day delay directly violates Section 7(1) of the RTI Act. Under the law, this delay is thus considered a “deemed refusal.” As a result, the information must now be provided free of charge.
• Vague and Misleading Information: The statement “all information is available on the website” is often vague. It is often used as an evasion tactic. Moreover, the PIO provided no specific links or URLs. Hence, the appellant asserts that the information is not available on the site. Ultimately, the burden is on the PIO to prove its availability.
• Incorrect Application of the RTI Act: The PIO wrongly invoked rules to deny the information. Specifically, the inquiry was for factual data (names, dates, policies), not speculative “why” questions. Furthermore, the claim that compiling this data would disproportionately divert resources is unsubstantiated. Indeed, any public authority should keep this basic information. Moreover, much of this information falls under the proactive disclosure clause of Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act.
• Dereliction of Duty by the FAA: The First Appellate Authority completely failed in his statutory duty. He was required under Section 19(6) to issue a decision on the appeal, but he did not. This inaction denied the appellant his right to a remedy and necessitated escalation to the Commission.

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Prayer: What the Appellant Seeks

Mr. Singh has requested the Hon’ble Commission to:

1. Furthermore, direct the PIO to supply full, point-wise information free of cost.
2. As a result, start penalty proceedings against the PIO under Section 20(1) for the delay. Start proceedings also for providing a misleading reply.
3. Recommend disciplinary action against the FAA under Section 20(2) for failing to carry out his duties. Hence, this negligence warrants immediate attention. As a result, immediate action is necessary to guarantee accountability.

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Public Officials Involved

The appeal names these officials from Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith University as respondents:

1. Public Information Officer (PIO)

• Name: Dr. Sunita Pandey
• Designation: Registrar
• Email: registrarmgkvp@gmail.com
• Mobile: 9839501925
• Location: Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith University, Chetganj, Varanasi – 221002
  

2. First Appellate Authority (FAA)

• Name: Prof. Anand K. Tyagi
• Designation: Vice Chancellor
• Email: vc@mgkvp.ac.in
• Mobile: 9839501925
• Location: Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith University, Chetganj, Varanasi – 221002

The matter now rests with the Uttar Pradesh Information Commission. It holds significant responsibility in determining the next steps about the ongoing situation. Thus, it will decide the course of action, ensuring that all relevant interests are taken into consideration. This careful evaluation will guarantee transparency in the process, fostering trust and confidence among the stakeholders involved. Furthermore, it will also uphold the letter and spirit of the Right to Information Act. Which is paramount in promoting accountability and informed citizen participation in governance. By adhering to these principles, the Commission will tackle the immediate concerns. It will also reinforce the broader framework of democratic values. These values are essential for a well-functioning society.

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