Landmark Judgment by State Info Commission
Directs MPSC to provide answer script photo copy:
Imphal, Dec 26: In a case relating to the Combined Manipur Civil Services Examination 2005, Manipur Information Commission has ordered the Manipur Public Service Commission to make available the copy of the answer script of a particular candidate for an optional subject, as sought by the mother of the candidate.
The ruling was made in connection with an application filed by one Irom Jamini, mother of Laikangbam Shalini, a candidate in the combined civil service examination, seeking a copy of her answer script for Zoology paper II.
In its order issued in this regard, dated December 5, 2007, the commission ruled that a citizen has the right of access to answer script of any competition if his expectation is not up to his or her satisfaction.
‘It is in the interest of the public that such disclosure of answer script are highly warranted, for transparency and accountability in such competitions which are the cynosure of all eyes of many aspiring youths,’ the Commission opined.
The Commission however ruled that the identity of the answer script examiners need to be protected, and hence their identity should not be disclosed. Accordingly it directed that a photo copy of the requested answer script after concealing the identity or signature of the examiner should be furnished to the petitioner within 15 days of the order.
As the concerned SPIO had also failed to furnish the information within the specified time (of the submission of the request for information), the Commission has directed the SPIO to show cause as to why penalty or recommendation for disciplinary action should not be imposed on him.
Posted on: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, Dec 26: In a case relating to the Combined Manipur Civil Services Examination 2005, Manipur Information Commission has ordered the Manipur Public Service Commission to make available the copy of the answer script of a particular candidate for an optional subject, as sought by the mother of the candidate.
The ruling was made in connection with an application filed by one Irom Jamini, mother of Laikangbam Shalini, a candidate in the combined civil service examination, seeking a copy of her answer script for Zoology paper II.
In its order issued in this regard, dated December 5, 2007, the commission ruled that a citizen has the right of access to answer script of any competition if his expectation is not up to his or her satisfaction.
‘It is in the interest of the public that such disclosure of answer script are highly warranted, for transparency and accountability in such competitions which are the cynosure of all eyes of many aspiring youths,’ the Commission opined.
The Commission however ruled that the identity of the answer script examiners need to be protected, and hence their identity should not be disclosed. Accordingly it directed that a photo copy of the requested answer script after concealing the identity or signature of the examiner should be furnished to the petitioner within 15 days of the order.
As the concerned SPIO had also failed to furnish the information within the specified time (of the submission of the request for information), the Commission has directed the SPIO to show cause as to why penalty or recommendation for disciplinary action should not be imposed on him.
Posted on: The Imphal Free Press