Info panel declares Thapar University public authority

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, July 2

The State Information Commission has declared Thapar University, Patiala, as “Public Authority” and directed them to provide the required information to the appellant within 30 days after receiving the orders.

Disposing of an appeal filed by Dr (CA) Bindu Bhardwaj, Chief Information Commissioner of Punjab SS Channy and State Information Commissioner Yashvir Mahajan declared the institution as the “Public Authority”.

A commission spokesperson said a case had been filed with the contention that the Public Information Officer in the office of Thapar University was not providing information under the RTI Act on the pretext that it was not a public authority.

After reviewing the documents, the commission said Thapar University had been established with the efforts of the state government and was substantially financed by funds provided directly in the shape of recurring and non-recurring grant to an extent of 95 per cent and 75 per cent of non-plan and plan expenditures, respectively, and indirectly by providing 250 acres of free land which was acquired at the public expense. Thus, Thapar University was a public authority as defined in Section 2 (h) (d) (ii) of the Act.