At last, GTU agrees to give answer sheets under RTI

Times of India‎: Rajkot: Thursday, April 28, 2016.

The Gujarat Technological University (GTU) has finally started giving copies of evaluated answer sheets to students who have been fighting to get them under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The varsity has replied to one of the RTI applicant students asking him to pay Rs 80 per answer sheet copy. The move is seen as a tectonic shift in GTU's approach in providing answer sheet copies under RTI.

Jaiveen Radhanpara, an eighth semester student of civil engineering of the city-based BH Gardi College of Engineering and Technology, had filed an RTI application three months ago seeking a copy of answer sheet of his seventh semester subject paper 'Construction management and equipment'. Radhanpara filed the RTI after he failed in the subject.

"I have received a reply from GTU that has asked me to pay Rs 80 per answer sheet copy. I had also applied for re-assessment of the same paper simultaneously and my grade improved to BC in re-assessment," a relieved Radhanpara told TOI.

Hundreds of GTU students have been fighting to get their copies of their evaluated answer sheets. However, GTU had refused to give them copies citing various reasons. GTU receives over 1,500 applications for inspection of evaluated answer sheets every year.

"As far as we know, this is the first time that GTU has shown a positive approach in providing evaluated answer sheets under RTI. It is a welcome step that will bring in transparency in paper evaluation," RTI activist Shailendrasinh Jadeja, who has been guiding students in this fight, told TOI.

J C Lilani, GTU's in-charge registrar said, "We have started giving copies of answer books to students who apply for it. Already, copies have been provided to 10-12 students. They have to pay Rs 80 per answer book."

Earlier, there was options of e-inspection wherein students could view the evaluated answer book on the institute's website using a user name and password provided by GTU.

"I appreciate if it is going to be an institutional reform as it will benefit large number of GTU students," said Deep Maradia, eighth semester mechanical engineering student of Rajkot-based college. Maradia has been fighting to get justice for himself and others who are victims of 'mass errors' by GTU evaluators.

Maradia had failed in maths in the third semester of winter 2013 examination. He was expecting at least 50-55 marks out of the total 70 marks. "GTU has not supplied answer sheet copy to me and I have filed an appeal with the Gujarat Information Commission (GIC). After hearing Jaiveen's case, I have sought my copy afresh from GTU," Maradia added.