DU earned over Rs 3 cr from students' revaluation pleas
New Delhi: In the academic sessions 2015-16 and 2017-18, Delhi University earned more than Rs three crore through fees paid by students for revaluation or rechecking of their answer-sheets and for providing photocopies of answer-sheets to them, reply to an RTI query has revealed.
As per data furnished by the varsity, in 2015-16, Rs 2.89 crore was realised for rechecking of answer-sheets and for providing copies of answer-sheets to students.
In the 2017-18 sesssion, DU earned more than Rs 23.29 lakh for rechecking and over Rs 6.49 lakh for providing students copies of evaluated answer-scripts.
As per university rules, students have to shell out Rs 1,000 for revaluation of a single copy and Rs 750 for rechecking of the answer-script - which means only re-totalling of the marks. Rs 750 is also to be paid for obtaining a photocopy of the student's answer-script.
The RTI query requesting this information was filed by a former Delhi University student, who had demanded that he be allowed inspection of his answer-script free of cost as per a certain RTI section which allows inspection of public records.
"I had filed an RTI seeking inspection of my answer-script in 2016. My plea dragged on for two years and I had to take recourse to the CIC, which ordered the university to let me inspect the answer-script as per RTI's Section 2(j). The university is yet to allow me the inspection of my answer-script. It has said it will pursue the matter further at the high court," the former law student informed, who wished to remain anonymous.
The applicant said had he been allowed to inspect his answer-script, and in case any discrepancy found, he would have asked for the re-totalling/revaluation to be done by the varsity free of charge, since he is not bound to pay for the mistakes made by the University.
"This is a grave issue of public interest. Not every one is rich enough to spend Rs 1,000 or Rs 750 for revaluation. Also logically, if discrepancy is found, the University should be duty-bound to correct it without cost... They (university administration) are making students pay for the mistakes they made," he said.
The Central Information Commission (CIC), in its August 18, decision had ordered the University to allow the applicant inspection of his answer copy in "larger public interest".
"The Commission felt that issue under consideration involved larger public interest affecting the fate of all students who wish to obtain information regarding their answer-sheet/marks," the CIC had said in its judgement.
