New Delhi: The Delhi University Teachers Association (Duta), which is known as the most vocal teachers’ body in the varsity, has claimed to be out of the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, while DU has no information about its recognition in any manner. The revelations have come out in an RTI application filed by a student of the Faculty of Law.
Notably, the Delhi University College and Karamchari Union, Delhi University and Colleges Lab (Tech) Staff Association (DUCLSA), and Central Pool Grievance Committee (CPGC) have been recognised by the university through an agreement with them. A robust mechanism is instituted officially for the students under the name of DU Student Union (DUSU) at the varsity level with its own constitution, office infrastructure, staff advisor, and rules. In his reply to the RTI, Duta treasurer Bhupinder Chaudhary stated that Duta is neither a statutory body nor a government institution. Hence, he said, it is not liable to reply to any question under the RTI.
Duta has always been proactive to take into interest the matters of every individual and the varsity. Joint secretary Rajesh Jha said it has created reforms out of their collective struggles.
“Duta is not a legally registered body. But we carry legitimacy because of our work, and we work for the collective good of the university. A social entity, we are the sole representatives of the teachers. We have elections and are recognised all over the country. Duta is an important component of the varsity and we carry out activities for social transformations,” Mr Jha added. Duta charges a fee of '20 per member while DUCLSA, DUCKU, and CPGC charge '5 each, placing it at the highest in the grid. Mr Jha said Duta does not take any fund from DU and bears all the costs on its own.
“Acting through its treasurer’s response, DUTA is evading the norms of the RTI so as to avoid transparency, despite claiming to work for the collective good of the university,” claimed the law student, Vikas.
