Sent: RTIs to 7 national law schools for accounts, reports, pay scales & more

This bunny likes transparency
This bunny likes transparency
Legally India has today filed right to information (RTI) requests with India’s seven oldest national law schools, seeking full financial accounts, council meeting minutes and other information.

Today RTIs were submitted via email to the public information officers (PIOs) at NLSIU Bangalore, Nalsar Hyderabad, NUJS Kolkata, NLIU Bhopal, NLU Jodhpur, GNLU Gandhinagar and HNLU Raipur, which were founded between 1987 and 2003 and were the seven most popular colleges in the preferences of Common Law Admissions Test (CLAT) takers in 2011.

Couriered hardcopies of the application with enclosed payment of Rs 150 each will be dispatched tomorrow.

Each RTI requests details on and copies of “any investigations, inquiries or reports conducted or prepared at the college in the last 10 years under the university’s governing statute, or at the behest of the university’s chancellor, any judge, or any statutorily appointed body”.

For the past five years, the RTIs also request:

  • full sets of financial accounts of the colleges,
  • copies of correspondence between the college and the chancellor,
  • a list of contracts of the college with outside contractors,
  • funds allocated to each student committee,
  • pay scales of teaching staff and minutes of meetings relating to it, and
  • dossiers of faculty and staff of the university.

Legally India specifically asked for a copy of the NLSIU report of May 2009 created by the School Review Commission headed by Justice KT Thomas, and reported by the Times of India in January 2011 as evidencing decreasing standards and an increase in drug use amongst students.

No enquiries for judicial reports were made of Nalsar, which last week provided a full copy of its first judicial inquiry.

The youngest colleges proved to have been the most transparent and RTI-application-friendly so far.

GNLU and HNLU have both published comprehensive information in their RTI compendia, including the latest income and expenditure statements, a detailed list of faculty and more [download GNLU compendium / HNLU RTI compendium]. HNLU went even further and provided additional details on expenses, allocation of funds to committees and more.

NLU Jodhpur’s publicly available RTI information was the weakest, with the RTI contact details buried in the “Administration” section of its website while not providing any email address.

The four other law schools all made it reasonably easy to find RTI sections via their websites, although they did not publish reports as detailed as GNLU and HNLU.

Legally India will regularly publish updates on responses received, or not, and hopes to make all information supplied publicly available.

If this pilot project is successful, Legally India will make similar applications to younger national law schools and other non-national government colleges.

Please provide ideas for more detailed RTI requests below in the comments.

Photo by Harald Hoyer

Comments

ABC 6 Feb 2012, 14:45
+2 -0
Please also include all the documents relating to promotions of faculty in these law schools in the RTI application. Many promotions are given to undeserving and academically inferior faculty in these law schools.
Suggestion 6 Feb 2012, 15:41
+5 -0
If you want gold, include NLU Delhi.
Agreed 6 Feb 2012, 16:06
+1 -0
Completely Agreed
NALSAR-beta, NLUD- baap 6 Feb 2012, 17:11
+3 -0
The real hitler resides in NLUD. NALSAR has beta Hitler only. File an RTI in NLUD and get the details of all the concentration camps!
@ 2.1 6 Feb 2012, 19:26
+0 -0
NLUD has provided much more info. on its website than either GNLU or HNLU including details on expenses, yearly and more and its legible unlike the HNLU one.

http://nludelhi.ac.in/RTIAct.htm
Believer 6 Feb 2012, 16:16
+0 -0
consider RMLNLU as well. You might just discover a lot of interesting facts.
Concerned 6 Feb 2012, 16:22
+4 -0
At least from NLS, Bangalore, you might want to get minutes of all faculty meetings held since the current VC took over. You will find that the faculty has very little say, if any, in decisions administrative and academic; and that NLSIU suffers from many of the same faults regarding the concentration of power in the hands of the VC, as have been highlighted in the NALSAR report.
xyz 6 Feb 2012, 16:30
+0 -0
go for other national law schools as well, it might be interesting for all to know how young players are doing in their ambit..
Pappu pass ho gaya 6 Feb 2012, 16:45
+14 -0
If you get me grades, please don't publicize them.
email 6 Feb 2012, 16:50
+0 -0
RTIs can't be filed via emails!

Also, the PIO after going through the application will ask you to pay the required amount (number of pages X 2 rupees). Rupees 150 sent the way you have might result in your application getting rejected.

All the best, though.
Check Ur Knowledge 1st 11 Feb 2012, 12:55
+0 -0
U can file the RTI through the email,
moreover PIO would let u know the amount after collecting the knowledge so hardly matters :O
then u can hve the info in CD so cost saving ;)
where there is will there is way :)
i had asked the details but sent me a bill of 1.75 lacs so now i have told them to send me in CD hav'nt got any response but i RTI have exploded the bomb in one of the Top5 NLu ( Giving sleeples night to few :O ) INSIDER :O

[quote name="email"]RTIs can't be filed via emails!

Also, the PIO after going through the application will ask you to pay the required amount (number of pages X 2 rupees). Rupees 150 sent the way you have might result in your application getting rejected.

All the best, though.[/quote]
Old School 6 Feb 2012, 17:07
+3 -0
Why not the newer ones? Considering the infrastructure build-up that is in the offing for them, the chances of misappropriation are all the more. Catch the culprits when the situation can be remedies. Going through the books of the older ones is akin to crying over spilt milk. Howsoever hard you try, the money will not come back. I reiterate, go for the newer NLUs.
Old School 6 Feb 2012, 19:13
+0 -0
*remedied
New kids on the block? 6 Feb 2012, 17:30
+2 -0
Why not file RTIs with non-NLUs like Jindal as well? It would be interesting to compare how these places match up to the NLUs in terms of facilities, faculty, research, salaries, etc. I am not sure if pvt. universities like jindal fall within the purview of RTIs, but since the university has been established under a state legislation, I would assume that it is a public authority under S. 2 (h)(c) of the RTI act?
GLC 7 Feb 2012, 07:04
+0 -0
Colleges like jindal are not established under a state legislation. Its a private university. Only national law schools are established under legislations by respective state legislatures.
Jindal 7 Feb 2012, 07:28
+0 -0
According to the jindal website the university has been established by the Haryana Pvt. Universities ( Second Amendment) Act, 2009. It appears to me that this brings it under the ambit of S. 2 (h) (c) of the rti act.
A 8 Feb 2012, 09:21
+0 -0
Haryana Pvt. Universities Act ? Sounds similar to Chattisgarh !! may be derecognised by UGC
Check Ur Knowledge 1st 11 Feb 2012, 12:56
+0 -0
jindal private hai be so no RTI so bhull ja uske bare mein n padhne baithja :) kuch nahin hone wala hai :O
RANBIR Kapoor 6 Feb 2012, 17:45
+4 -0
As someone said, the REAL gold is in NLU Delhi. The lakhs of honorarium that are mentioned for Prof. Ranbir SIngh in the NALSAR Report is only a preview. RS has "allegedly" swindled crores in admitting back door entrants...the truth will be out soon...
NLU D 6 Feb 2012, 18:06
+0 -0
Most of the infor about NLUD is present of their website

http://nludelhi.ac.in/RTIAct.htm

including the list of employess, their pays, the annual budget and expenditure, the proposed budget.

Check before saying something
Anna 6 Feb 2012, 19:53
+0 -0
awww felt sad....but the truth is u have large number of backdoors a fact which even NLUD studetns admit....
@Anna 6 Feb 2012, 20:12
+0 -0
awww felt sad....but the truth is in 3 and a half years we are doing much better than a lot of colleges and when noone gave us a chance and dismissed us as being just another startup a fact which even your college students admit....
nonsequitur 6 Feb 2012, 21:05
+0 -0
that had nothing to do with what he said.

regardless of its back door entries, nalsar is also doing just fine. still, it's obvious they have had back door entries in the past.

go back to pretending you're an intelligent human being.
GLC 7 Feb 2012, 07:07
+0 -0
"JUST" FINE? Like really? :P No matter how screwed up their admin is, it cannot be denied that they have been consistently doing well. I am from GLC and I admit this.
@GLC 7 Feb 2012, 17:55
+0 -0
wow. "just fine" is used to mean "very well". it's called snark.
@Above 6 Feb 2012, 21:07
+1 -0
[quote name="@Anna"]awww felt sad....but the truth is in 3 and a half years we are doing much better than a lot of colleges and when noone gave us a chance and dismissed us as being just another startup a fact which even your college students admit....[/quote]


NLU Delhi is Jail (4-6 pm, Really?) where prisoners are kept in a state that they become frustrated (I have many friends there, and they tell about this state). And yeah, how can we forget the presence of a Dictator (A good administrator too).
Dont be naive 7 Feb 2012, 02:39
+1 -0
What about what is not said. Noone would admit their faults and scams on their website - whatever would be publicly available would be an eyewash. Just shows how well prepared they are to cover up. Nothing against NLUD - its the same story everywhere.
NLS needs a hero 6 Feb 2012, 20:07
+6 -0
NLSIU has the biggest scammers. Our new VC has gone out of his way to keep spending money. Building buildings we dont need. We have spend lakhs on a Football field, where no football can be played till many more lakhs are spent. New car for the VC after he sold the college bus. Nagarbhavi Law School needs a hero.
NALSARite 7 Feb 2012, 02:41
+4 -0
I think Veer Singh is the hero you deserve.
More alums 7 Feb 2012, 17:45
+1 -0
NLS needs more alumni coming back to teach. They are generally better at their subjects, and also generally have the interests of the institution at heart. Unfortunately, the administration is not keen on getting them back, at least not permanently. They disturb the status quo too much...
NLIU.. haha 6 Feb 2012, 21:47
+3 -0
I am sure NLIU will have some interesting report to submit.. oops.. or will they?? Just keep everyone in dark as they have fooled their students so far
observer 7 Feb 2012, 02:04
+0 -0
The requests will be rejected so you will have to go to the appellate authority and state RTI commission. Please at least tell us which colleges reject the request.I think only NSLIU will respond because it has a culture of transparency.
kianganz 9 Feb 2012, 20:04
+0 -0
Yes, we hope to keep everyone updated as to which law schools' respond and which ones don't, as well as which ones we have to appeal against.

Best
Kian
Nualsian 7 Feb 2012, 02:30
+0 -0
why not u people send RTI to NUALS kochi,here you will find many deformities.
RGNUL 7 Feb 2012, 04:06
+0 -0
Kian, would request if you can please also apply for RGNUL, Patiala to see some interesting facts. People over there are known for the most corrupt and mal administration. At RGNUL, there is individual brackets (for fees) which includes Moot Court fees,internship and placements fees etc., out of which not even a single penny was used for the said subject matter. People at RGNUL shall be grateful to you.
GLC 7 Feb 2012, 07:09
+0 -0
Its good to see students from various N-Schools showing the character to get RTI filed in their college..goes on to say that they aint afraid of whats happening to NALSAR if it improves the situation at their college. Kudos to them.
XYZ 8 Feb 2012, 09:55
+0 -0
I will be very grateful if the current VC of NLU (Assam and also an ex-VC of RGNUL) is to be questioned on the financial facts (including grants and students fees not utilised for their education or even placement for that matter). Please consider filing RTI on RGNUL as well.
xyz 7 Feb 2012, 10:21
+0 -0
almost 5 years and not even one full time registrar in GNLU, can they give any explanation for that in your application?
aa 7 Feb 2012, 11:51
+9 -0
Earlier the fight was my law school is better than your law school, now it is my law school is more corrupt than your law school.
nluo-ite 7 Feb 2012, 12:17
+0 -0
please try NLU,Orissa .......... that wil b a jackpot..........
GNLU 7 Feb 2012, 13:42
+0 -0
GNLU has one of the most corrupt hostel administration...students are fed up...but no one listens ... since there is a lot of political influence
Yes Yes Yes! 7 Feb 2012, 16:31
+0 -0
Well.
a. Why have you sent them with Rs. 150. They should have a postal order/dd for Rs. 10. The photocopying charge will be specific and be asked for later by the PIO.

b. You have to send them RTIs to Symbi Pune. I have to say this will probably be more interesting than many of the others, not only because here too you will find major irregularities, but because it is a deemed university and the students are afraid to say anything in case they suddenly find they are held back a year. As a result there is no check from the student body at all. The administration of the university and the college has acted with complete impunity.

Around if you need more details!
Prachishrivastava 8 Feb 2012, 07:38
+0 -0
Actually, we are concerned about a possible way to expedite the process to receiving a reply in single-communication, instead of a chain where we first have to wait for a couple of days to recieve their intimation of the exact amount, and then again send the money seperately. Could that be turned into an avoidable delay somehow?

In this case we thought one way of doing this is to affix an amount sufficient enough to cover reasonably anticipated costs of, say, CD enclosing soft copy of the documents. In Nalsar's RTI for the 3 judge report, the CD cost amounted to 60/- and we were otherwise informally informed that 100/- is sufficient in most RTI cases.

Wondering of a better way still ..
def 8 Feb 2012, 11:00
+0 -0
Hey, recently I filed RTI applications with two ministries. I thought on the same lines and enclosed DDs for Rs. 100 each. They returned the applications saying I have to enclose DDs for Rs. 10.
REPLY 7 Feb 2012, 18:10
+0 -0
Kian, reply to the queries. Dont just shut up and sit back.
Nalsar-rat 7 Feb 2012, 19:14
+1 -0
He has gone to the market so that he can get some poison to shut some "rats" up.
XYZ 8 Feb 2012, 04:17
+0 -0
Even RGNUL should be included
Yo! 8 Feb 2012, 05:20
+2 -0
NUALS was formed during the same period as the other National Law Schools mentioned above. Kindly consider adding it to get information only then will one realize why it has not become as popular as the other National Law Schools and how there is a complete lack of transparency under the current VC.
Prachishrivastava 8 Feb 2012, 07:08
+1 -0
Dear All,

Thank you for your comments and feedback.

The responses here have been extremely helpful and we intend to make meaningful use of them in following up on our applications.

We shall keep everyone posted on the status of the applications and the replies supplied by the law schools.

The concerns about younger law schools escaping the scanner, intermittently as it may be, are significant. We are keenly counting on the prompt success of this pilot project concerning law schools established before 2003, to use the process on younger law schools.

Best wishes,
Prachi
Heartiest Congrats to LI 27 Mar 2012, 16:02
+0 -0
Dear Prachi
Heartiest Congratulations to you and to LI for the effort you are making to unearth the truth of the National Law Schools of our Country including NUJS Calcutta. It is because of the effort of LI and yourself and your team that we now come to know about NALSAR and people of Inida will soon come to know about NUJS. It is a fact behind all illegalities there is an interest and that may be financial interest or a relationship interest.
It was a great expectation that people entrusted with the responsibility for legal functioning of NUJS will work accordingly but they have placed their own interest above the interest of the law school and students and their parents. Please do remember that publishing the facts is not only the end but real hard work is to make the system to work to establish legal atmosphere in a National Law School. Hope you will be able to fulfill suchexpectations.
I hope your effort seeking documents from [...] under RTI will also unearth the illegal acts of [...] during the tenure of [...] as Vice Chancellor. You and the whole country will be shocked to know how one after another - series of illegalities happened in [...]. It will be shocking to know how self interest has been placed above the interest of the students and the Law School. Surprisingly the authority of [...] GC, EC and AC are keeping silent. What about the [...] ? It has been also shocking to know how the students and the Faculty members of [...] have been cheated.
Hope all the truth will be exposed and students of [...] and other National Law Schools and the Judiciary system of our Country will be come to know the truth.
Wishing you and LI all the best in the effort that has been undertaken to make the Legal education work properly and illegal actions to be initiated by the competent authority against illegal functioning.




[quote name="Prachishrivastava"]Dear All,

Thank you for your comments and feedback.

The responses here have been extremely helpful and we intend to make meaningful use of them in following up on our applications.

We shall keep everyone posted on the status of the applications and the replies supplied by the law schools.

The concerns about younger law schools escaping the scanner, intermittently as it may be, are significant. We are keenly counting on the prompt success of this pilot project concerning law schools established before 2003, to use the process on younger law schools.

Best wishes,
Prachi[/quote]
@ Prachi, Kian / Team LI 8 Feb 2012, 11:36
+0 -0
This is a good effort. At the end of the day, students pay high fees at lawschools, and the poor don't have access to them. So squandering of money and rampant corruption cannot be allowed.

While investigating, it would be (kind of obvious) good to keep in mind that anyone skimming money from tenders (related to construction, events, procurement etc) would have covered up to a certain extent and thought of how to justify their scam. Manner of award of tenders, and also selection/promotion of staff should also be examined.
Dabang 8 Feb 2012, 17:48
+0 -0
Why r u leaving NLU D, RGNUL and CNLU !!!! its just a matter of 10 rs ...
rmlnlu helper 9 Feb 2012, 14:55
+0 -0
and RMLNLU too
Lawyer - Mumbai 9 Feb 2012, 05:40
+0 -0
I think this is a good initiative. After analysing the documents made available by these law schools, it would be great if you could provide a balanced analysis.
Lawyer - Mumbai 9 Feb 2012, 05:43
+0 -0
Sadly, it is initiatives like the one Kian & the LI team has taken up, which can ensure tha the right amount of external pressure is applied on law universities to maintain transparency, especially in these times of mainstream media largely ignoring the dire straits which national law universities are in these days. When I say 'ignoring' I do mean that one or two articles are not enough.
rmlnlu helper 9 Feb 2012, 14:53
+1 -0
I think you should also file one rti against RMLNLU , Lucknow
e.hunt 9 Feb 2012, 15:00
+0 -0
you are right friend. Despite having a state of art infrastructure, the RMLNLU has not made it to even the top 25 law colleges.
Sandeep Verma 9 Feb 2012, 17:41
+0 -0
Dear bro plz chck my RTI on facebook regarding RMlNLU. Sandeep Verma LL.M. II nd Year NLSIU Bangalore
Austin 3 Mar 2012, 13:16
+0 -0
hey! haven't seen any updates regarding the RTIs filed.

also, when do you plan to bring NLUD within the net? Even as this NALSAR hoopla rages, the favouritism, corruption and all things immoral, continue unabated! WE NEED INTERVENTION!