`Check poor kids intake in schools on cheaper plots'

TNN, Dec 17, 2010,

LUCKNOW: The state information commission (SIC) has directed LDA to provide details of students from BPL families studying in private schools which have been given land on concessional rates by the agency. The order has been passed by information commissioner (IC) Brijesh Kumar Mishra on a complaint filed by a RTI complainant, Satyaprakash Tiwari.

LDA provides plots on concessional rates (40% less than residential plots) to schools on the condition that they will give admission to at least 10% students from BPL families. The students should also be given a 50% waiver in fee. There is a GO dated June 3, 2009 which directs schools getting land on concessional rates to do so. The commission on October 14, 2010 had ordered LDA to provide list of such students studying in the schools regarding which applicant had sought information.

The applicant had specifically sought information about two city schools -- Lucknow Public School (LPS) and Delhi Public School (DPS). The applicant had asked LDA about number of plots allotted to management of LPS/DPS till now. Also, if schools have given admission to children from BPL families (as is the condition)?

The applicant also asked LDA if construction plan of the schools was approved by it and buildings were constructed as per the approved plan or not. LDA was also asked if there was any construction not per the approved plan and has LDA taken any action in that case. Besides seeking details of annual income-expenditure of schools and audit reports, applicant had also asked about schools having parking spaces (as per rules).

Since these are private schools, commission also defined what information is and under what condition can it be sought even from private entities under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Information means any material in any form including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body, which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force.

Despite the order of the commission, LDA did not provide the information. The commission again directed LDA, on November 18, 2010, to provide the information to the applicant about students from BPL families and construction plan of the schools, if it has been approved by the LDA. The next date of hearing into the matter has been fixed for December 23, 2010.