The RTI Blackout: A Teacher’s Fight Against Exploitation Hits a Wall of Silence in Mirzapur

Why the District Education Office is Ignoring a Right to Information Request on Minimum Wages tantamount to blacking out RTI

A shocking case of RTI Blackout and alleged institutional silence has emerged from Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability within educational institutions.
A former teacher, Shivam Verma, remains without answers, despite his persistent efforts to seek information.
He filed an RTI application regarding the alleged least wage violations by a local private school, which not only affects him but also raises critical questions about the rights of other educators who may be facing similar issues.
The lack of response from the authorities has not only left Shivam frustrated but has also highlighted a broader issue of negligence that pertains to the enforcement of labor laws in the region.
As the situation unfolds, it calls into question the commitment of local educational bodies to uphold the standards that protect both teachers and students alike.

The Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission (UPSIC) has escalated this RTI Blackout case. It is now a Second Appeal under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act, 2005. This situation reveals a disturbing lack of accountability within the District Education administration.

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🚫 The Double Failure: PIO and FAA Stay Mute

The crux of the appeal is the complete non-compliance by the Public Information Officer (PIO), which is not only a procedural oversight but also undermines the fundamental principles of transparency and accountability that are essential in governance.
The First Appellate Authority (FAA) of the Secondary Education Department in Mirzapur has not complied either, further compounding the issue and raising serious concerns about the commitment of these authorities to uphold the Right to Information Act.
These actions are contributing to the RTI Blackout, creating an environment where citizens are left in the dark, unable to access information that is rightfully theirs, thereby eroding public trust in the system and its representatives.

Step	Filing Date	Statutory Deadline	Result
RTI Application (Sec 6(1))	14/07/2025	13/08/2025	PIO offered no information (Violation of Sec 7(1))
First Appeal (Sec 19(1))	15/08/2025	14/09/2025	FAA issued no order (Violation of Sec 19(6))

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Mr. Verma, the applicant, sees this situation as more than just an administrative delay. He views it as a deliberate denial of justice by public officials. These officials are responsible for upholding transparency. Their failure to respond at both stages shows there is an unwillingness within the structure. This unwillingness hinders the resolution of the serious allegations raised amidst the RTI Blackout.

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🔍 The Core Issue: Are Teachers Being Paid Below Labour Wages?

Mr. Verma’s starting RTI application sought information directly related to his dismissal and salary at Lions School, Mirzapur. The questions focused on ensuring compliance with government-mandated least wages, as Verma believed that his termination was unjust and possibly related to the discrepancies in payment practices.

By requesting detailed records and documentation concerning the school’s adherence to labor laws, he aimed to uncover any potential violations that may have contributed to his situation. This inquiry was not only a personal effort to seek justice but also an attempt to address broader systemic issues that could affect other employees within the institution.

Additionally, Mr. Verma hoped that shedding light on these practices would encourage a fairer workplace environment for all staff at the school.

Key Information Sought:

1. Salary Discrepancy: Justification for his monthly salary (₹11,328 and ₹11,308). He claims this amount falls below the prescribed minimum wage for a skilled worker in Uttar Pradesh. This is despite his qualification as a teacher.
2. Official Oversight: The documents should come from any enquiry. They must prove that the school paid its teachers the lowest wages. This should be as per UP government norms.
3. Accountability: Details of the public staff who processed his prior grievance (GOVUP/E/2025/0049116) about these wage issues.
4. Compensation Mechanism: The official process available to him to claim the accrued arrears.

The District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) office has failed to provide these documents. If someone is enforcing the lowest wage laws, they should make these readily available. This failure has become the ground zero of the Second Appeal caused by the RTI Blackout.

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⚖️ Relief Sought: Penalty and Disciplinary Action for RTI Blackout

In his appeal to the UPSIC, Mr. Verma is not merely asking for the information; he is demanding accountability and transparency from the concerned authorities.
He believes that it is essential for the public to know how decisions are made and the rationale behind them.
The primary relief sought includes not only access to the requested information but also a detailed explanation of the processes involved, as well as assurances that similar oversights will not occur in the future.
Mr. Verma’s approach underscores the importance of governance that is responsible and responsive to citizens’ inquiries and rights.

• A Direction to Give Information: Ordering the PIO, Smt. Devki Singh (DIOS Mirzapur), to promptly release the requested documents.
• Imposition of Penalty: I request the Commission to impose a statutory penalty on the PIO. Their refusal of information was malafide. This refusal contributed to the RTI Blackout and should be administered under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act.
• Disciplinary Action: The authorities are calling for disciplinary proceedings against the PIO and the FAA. This includes Shri Kamta Ram Pal (JD Vindhyachal). The proceedings are due to their gross violation of statutory duties.

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📢 Public Interest: A Test of Government Resolve

This case moves beyond a personal dispute. It raises crucial questions of public interest: how do individual actions influence collective societal norms, and what responsibilities do we bear towards one another as members of a community?
Furthermore, the implications of this case might resonate across various sectors, sparking debates about ethical standards and governance practices that govern us all.
Engaging with these issues is essential, as they challenge us to reflect on our values, prioritize transparency, and cultivate a sense of accountability in our shared spaces.
The outcomes here could set precedents that affect not just the immediate parties involved, but also the broader community, ultimately shaping our understanding of justice and equity in a more connected world.

• If a district education office cannot provide basic records on minimum wage compliance, its oversight of fee-charging private institutions is questionable. How can it ensure effective monitoring without such basic records?
• Are private schools exploiting unemployed youth while operating under the monitoring of the government?

The appellant argues that the authorities’ silence indicates a deliberate attempt. They wish to conceal information related to a massive violation of minimum wage laws.

The Uttar Pradesh State Information Commission now faces a critical decision. Will it let the twin failures of the PIO and FAA stand? Or will it use its powers to send a strong message? It must declare that silence in the face of alleged corruption and exploitation is unacceptable. The outcome will be a litmus test for transparency and accountability in the state’s education department. It will show whether they can overcome the RTI Blackout.

RTI Application forwarded to DIOS and appeal forwarded to J.D. but still information concerning money minting Lions school not made

Lease of land was given to Lions school for children garden and for children of common people so affiliation must be cancelled