CIC Mandates Clear Communication from National Archives After Language Barrier Complaint
In a significant ruling addressing bureaucratic communication gaps, the Central Information Commission has directed the National Archives of India to adopt simple and clear language in its correspondence with researchers. The order comes in response to a case where a researcher faced difficulties due to technical and ambiguous wordings in official communications.
Case Background: Researcher's Struggle for Access to Historical Records
The matter originated when an appellant filed a Right to Information application on July 16, 2024, seeking records and documents related to Indian repatriates from Myanmar for academic research purposes. Dissatisfied with the initial response from the Central Public Information Officer of the National Archives, which he found incomplete and misleading, the researcher escalated the matter through appeals.
Despite a First Appellate Authority upholding the CPIO's reply in November 2024, the appellant approached the CIC, arguing that the communication failed to clarify whether he could physically inspect the archival files in Delhi.
Commission's Hearing and Key Observations
During the hearing on January 20, 2025, the appellant emphasized that relevant information remained inaccessible. The CPIO defended the position by stating the requested records were voluminous and non-specific, while noting that inspection facilities are available at the National Archives in Delhi and through the online portal abhilekh-patal.in.
Information Commissioner P R Ramesh, in the order, highlighted the communication gap caused by jargon-heavy language. The commission specifically instructed that future communications must avoid technical terms to ensure appellants fully understand their rights to access archival materials.
Specific Directives and Compliance Requirements
The CIC's order includes several actionable directives:
- The CPIO must communicate in simple, clear language without ambiguous wording.
- The appellant should be granted an opportunity to inspect relevant records within four weeks of order receipt, at a mutually convenient time.
- Copies of desired records must be provided upon payment of requisite fees under RTI Rules.
- A compliance report must be submitted to the commission within one week of inspection completion.
This decision underscores the importance of transparent and accessible communication in government institutions, particularly when dealing with researchers and citizens exercising their right to information.
