The Rajasthan High Court has ruled that the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences cannot impose additional processing fees for RTI applications.
Significant Ruling on RTI Processing Fees
The Rajasthan High Court has delivered a pivotal ruling that prohibits the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) from imposing additional processing charges for providing certified copies of answer sheets under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. This decision underscores the importance of adhering to the fee structure established by the RTI Act, which aims to ensure transparency in public institutions.
In this case, the petitioner, Vipika, a B.Sc. Nursing student, sought certified copies of her evaluated answer books. The University initially demanded a total of ₹1225 for each answer book, which included an illegal ₹1000 processing fee. The Court found this fee to be contrary to the provisions of the RTI Act.
Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati, who presided over the case, stated, “The fee payable for seeking information under the Act is already specified by the statutory rules and public authorities cannot prescribe additional charges that are inconsistent with those rules.” This ruling highlights the judiciary’s commitment to uphold the rights of students and ensure that the process of obtaining information is not hindered by excessive fees.
The Court quashed the University’s guidelines that imposed the ₹1000 processing fee and directed that only the fees prescribed under the RTI Rules should be charged. According to the RTI Act, the application fee is set at ₹10, with an additional cost of ₹2 per page for copies of documents.
For the evaluated answer books, which typically contain around 40 pages, the total photocopy charges would amount to ₹80, alongside ₹145 for postal charges, bringing the total to a reasonable sum compared to the previously demanded amount.
This ruling is particularly significant as it aligns with several Supreme Court decisions that recognize the right of examinees to access their evaluated answer sheets under the RTI Act. The Court’s decision is expected to set a precedent for similar cases in the future.
Justice Bhati further remarked, “Imposing a processing fee of ₹1000 appeared to be an attempt to discourage students from seeking certified copies of their answer books.” This statement reflects a broader concern regarding the accessibility of educational resources and the transparency of evaluation processes.
With approximately 6.5 lakh answer sheets managed by the University, the implications of this ruling are extensive, potentially affecting many students who seek to exercise their rights under the RTI Act.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how RUHS will adjust its policies in compliance with this ruling. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any immediate changes to the fee structure or the University’s response to the Court’s directives.
