The order will give scope to students getting a chance to see how they were re-assessed and take recourse if any
Students across Maharashtra - pursuing degree and diploma - can now look to having one more chance of looking at their answer sheets. The state information commission (SIC) in a landmark order has directed the Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) to provide copies of answer sheet post re-assessment. The commission has also asked that MSBTE revisit its rules so that answer sheets are provided to the students another time. As per the rules of the Board, answer sheets can be given only once and not second time post re-assessment.
The order will give scope to students getting a chance to see how they were re-assessed and take recourse, if any. The order was given after a parent approached the SIC after answer sheet of his son was denied post re-assessment. It was given on May 8, 2018 by Ajit Kumar Jain, state information commissioner, Brihanmumbai bench.
"My son had scored 81 percent in his fifth semester of diploma of engineering. I thought that the marks were less for him to get a good job. My son also felt that he was not assessed correctly and should have scored more," said Anis Khan, resident of Bandra.
Colleges and boards provide copy of answer sheet for the first time. "When we saw the answer sheet and showed to his teachers, they too felt that he stood a chance of improving his percentile score if we went for re-assessment. However, post re-assessment, instead of increasing, they decreased his score further by three percent and he got 79 percent. I wanted to know how this happened and sought his answer sheets under RTI," said Khan.
The public information officer (PIO) of the board replied that answer sheet was given once and as per the Board's rules framed in 1972, it cannot be given for the second time. The first appellate authority too upheld the PIO's decision and disposed off the first appeal. The applicant then filed a second appeal. "I wanted to know why I should not get and also wanted to get it cleared if RTI will prevail or not. After all it affects lakhs of students," said Khan.
The SIC stated that RTI Act has over riding effect over all the other prevailing rules. It also cited an SC order which had upheld the right of a student to get answer sheet. The commission then directed the secretary of MSBTE to consider changing the rules. It asked that the applicant be provided with the copies of the answer sheets. V R Jadhav, secretary of MSBTE when contacted said, "Our officer was there for hearing. We have got to know of the order orally. We have not received the order as yet. Once we get the order, we will take guidance on it."
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