DNA: Mumbai: Monday,
March 11, 2013.
If you have
applied for a government post and have been waiting for a long time to hear
from the authorities concerned, here’s some good news for you.
The state
information commission (SIC) has directed the Maharashtra State Public
Commission (MPSC) to put up a list of all the applicants who are on the waiting
list with their marks. It has also directed the body to put up, on its website,
decisions related to exams and the parameters they consider before deciding on
such issues.
Along with
reducing the applicants’ endless wait, this is also expected to improve
transparency in government recruitment.
State chief
information commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad gave the order on February 22 after
applicant Pratibha Chavan approached the commission. Chavan wanted to know the
result of the MPSC exams held on May 8 and 9, 2012, for the post of assistant
municipal commissioner. She also wanted to know the final result status that is
signed by all committee members and interview panel.
The MPSC had
said that the information can’t be provided as it doesn’t come under the
definition of the RTI Act and belongs to third party. The SIC, in its order,
said the denial of information doesn’t fit under the Act. It directed the MPSC
to provide the information to the applicant and also put it up on its website.
It also said that the public information officer (PIO) didn’t apply the right
section to deny information and hence should explain why he shouldn’t be fined
for the same.
“The
information is pro-transparency in government recruitment and will help a
candidate know if s/he is in the waiting list or can start preparing afresh. It
will also help one ascertain in which subjects s/he has to prepare harder.
There is no justification for such information to not be given if the result
process is over,” said Gaikwad.
Assistant PIO
who attended the hearing wasn’t available for comment.
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