Four union ministries stumped by RTI query: When was Ashoka born?

Indian Express‎: New Delhi: Tuesday, September 20, 2016.

What exactly is the date of birth of King Ashoka? And the exact date of his passing? And what plans is the Union Government making to celebrate/mark those occasions? The questions, posed by an RTI litigant, have been passed on to the Union Government by the Central Information Commission (CIC). Now four ministries Defence, Finance, Home and Culture – are scurrying to find the answers.

The RTI plea was filed by one Arun Kumar who wanted to know from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) what the correct dates of the birth and death anniversaries of the legendary king are, and whether they are at all celebrated by the Union Government.

Arun Kumar was informed by PMO that the plea regarding the dates has been forwarded to the Culture Ministry. Curiously, the  question whether the two anniversaries are at all celebrated was marked to the Defence Ministry, Home Ministry and Finance Ministry.

Chief information commissioner R K Mathur has issued an order that the information sought be furnished to the applicant. "The Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs are advised to provide the information to the appellant on his RTI application," Mathur’s order reads.

Ashoka was third monarch of the Mauryan dynasty. He was born in 304 BC and died in 232 BC.