ORDER

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 03.06.2023 seeking information on the following points:

(i) Whether Mr. Ratheesh Kaliyadan was a full-time PhD Scholar at Assam University, Silchar.

(ii) What was the minimum number of attendance required for full-time PhD scholars (in days) to submit PhD thesis at Assam University, Silchar, during the period of 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2015. Please provide a copy of the concerned circular.

(iii) What was the minimum number of attendance required for part-time PhD scholars (in days) to submit PhD thesis at Assam University, Silchar during the period of 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2015. Please provide a copy of the concerned circular.

(iv) What was the minimum number of years required for full-time PhD scholars (in days) to submit PhD thesis at Assam University, Silchar during the period of 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2015. Please provide a copy of the concerned circular.

(v) What was the minimum number of years required for part-time PhD scholars (in days) to submit PhD thesis at Assam University, Silchar during the period of 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2015. Please provide a copy of the concerned circular.

(vi) Whether Mr. Ratheesh Kaliyadan had the minimum number of attendance to submit PhD thesis at Assam University.

(vii) Please provide the photocopies of the attendance details of Mr. Ratheesh Kaliyadan while he was a PhD scholar at Assam University, Silchar.

2. Dissatisfied due to non-receipt of any response from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 04.07.2023. The FAA’s order, if any, is not available on record.

Subsequently, the CPIO replied on 11.07.2023 and the same is reproduced as under:

“1.Mr. Ratheesh Kaliyadan was a part time PhD Scholar.

2. Mr. Ratheesh Kaliyadan was a part time PhD Scholar.

3. Blank in the RTI Application.

4. The matters pertaining to attendance and submission of thesis was guided by the then Ordinance on the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) under Section 28 (1) (b) of Assam University Act, 1989. Clause No. 4. (IX) (d) was to be followed. This Clause reads thus: In the case of a teacher or researcher in a Research Institute or candidate who is not pursuing research on a full time basis, the thesis shall be accepted, only if the candidate has stayed in the University for at least 30 days in each year including vacation and participated in such academic programme as may be decided by the Department and School of Studies. On the production of periodical certificates from his/her Supervisor that the candidate has been in continuous touch with him/her and has acquainted himself/ herself adequately with the latest theories and methods in research in his/her field of specializations.

5. Not applicable in this case.

6. The matters pertaining to duration was guided by the then Ordinance on the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) under Section 28 (1) (b) of Assam University Act, 1989. Clause No. 4. (V) (d) was to be followed. This Clause reads thus: A scholar may submit the thesis for PhD Degree only after the research for at least two years but no more than four years from the date of Provisional Registration. However, in exceptional circumstances, the School Board, on the recommendation of the Supervisor and of the concerned BPGS, may further recommend an extension of the registration by one more year.

7. For attendance of part time scholars, maintaining Attendance Register in the said Department was not mandatory.”

3. Aggrieved with the non-receipt of FAA’s order, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal dated Nil.

4. The appellant and on behalf of the respondent Professor Subrato Kumar Nath, attended the hearing through video conference.

5. The appellant inter alia submitted that the respondent had not responded within the time limit.

6. The respondent while defending their case inter alia submit