Kerala HC stays order for appointing information officers in all self-financing medical education institutions

Kochi: High court has stayed for two months an order issued by the Kerala University of Health Sciences directing self-financing medical education institutions under it to appoint public information officers and appellate authorities in all colleges.The bench of Justice M A Abdul Hakhim issued the interim order in a petition filed by the Private Nursing College Management Association of Kerala, Self-Financing Paramedical Managements Association and others, challenging the university's directive. The matter has been posted to April 10.The petitioners contended that the university had directed self-financing colleges to appoint public information officers and appellate authorities in terms of the provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005. The order was allegedly issued pursuant to a direction from one of the state information commissioners. The petitioners further argued that their institutions do not fall within the purview of the RTI Act, as they are completely self-financed and do not receive any financial assistance or grants from the govt or any govt bodies or authorities. Though the institutions have obtained recognition and affiliation, neither the govt nor any university exercises direct control over the institutions or their day-to-day affairs, except in matters relating to academic standards, course recognition and student admissions.They also challenged the impugned direction of the state information commissioner, contending that it lacks legal basis.