The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed Assam University, Silchar to provide a student with a copy of his evaluated answer script free of cost, holding that photocopying charges for answer scripts sought under the RTI Act must be levied strictly in accordance with the applicable RTI Rules.
The student had sought a certified photocopy of his evaluated answer script for the FYUG second-semester Philosophy (DSM151) examination after securing 35 out of 70 marks. The University’s CPIO had demanded an additional Rs 1,000, while the First Appellate Authority maintained that the University had fixed a charge of Rs 1,000 per answer script.
The CIC, however, held that the CPIO was required to provide the answer script sought under the RTI Act by charging photocopying fees strictly in accordance with the RTI Rules, 2012. It cautioned the CPIO to exercise due diligence while responding to RTI applications in future.
Setting aside the University’s decision, the Commission directed the CPIO to provide the student’s own answer script without charging any fee, and ordered that the direction be complied with within two weeks of receipt of the order.
