RTI correction stirs up Hornets nest

Weeks after the University of Madras sent an RTI response, it suo motu issued a correction, stirring up a hornet’s nest, as the replies involved a burning issue concerned with the institution’s library.

Documents available with Express show that an RTI query was filed with the University on August 28 seeking, apart from other information, the number of Deputy Librarian (DL) posts available and who was currently the senior most among the DLs.

In its reply sent on September 5, the university said that K Kaliyaperumal, who is currently the University Librarian (in charge), is the senior most DL. However, highly-placed sources told Express that this was not the case and that R Ambuja, the DL now posted on the Guindy campus library, was the senior most after one of the DLs resigned in 2008.

Curiously, the University Public Information Officer, without any request from the applicant, sent a modification to the reply 15 days later, stating that Ambuja was indeed the senior most among the DLs. Over the last few months, controversy has been brewing over the appointment of Kaliyaperumal as in charge of the library despite the fact that Ambuja had been the senior among deputies. Also, RTI activist Angayarkanni, who spoke to Express, pointed out that a modification issued without any prompting was “unusual” and doubted if the RTI Act had any provision for such a move. The university would use the correction to insulate itself from any charges of mala fide, if the applicant went on appeal.

A senior Senate member said that when the previous librarian passed away leaving the post vacant in 2008, the senior most DL was installed as the in charge. “There is hardly any precedent for appointing juniors as in charge,” he said.

When contacted, Vice Chancellor G Thiruvasagam said that the question of seniority does not arise as both DLs are now manning a library. “Kaliyaperumal is in charge of Chepauk Campus library whereas Ambuja is at Guindy. You must understand that elevation as in charge is not a promotion. For filling the post of Librarian, we will follow rules by adopting the open advertisement method,” he said.