'Provide details of degrees earned by PM'

New Delhi: The Central Information Commission (CIC) on Friday directed the Delhi University and Gujarat University to provide information with regard to the degrees earned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu asked the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to provide specific number and year of the degrees of the Prime Minister to the varsities to enable them locate it faster. "Not prescribing the educational (degree based) qualification for contesting electoral offices is one of the great features of Indian democracy. What needed is education, not degrees. However,when a citizen holding the position of chief ninistership wants to know the degree related information of the prime minister,it will be proper to disclose," said Acharyulu in the order.

"The commission requires the PMO to provide specific number and year of the degree and PG degree to the Delhi University and the Gujarat University offices so that it will be easy for them to search and provide any documents relating to it. "The Commission directs the PIOs of Delhi University and Gujarat University, Ahmedabad to make best possible search for the information regarding degrees in the name of 'Mr. Narendra Damodar Modi' in the year 1978 (graduation from DU) and 1983 (post graduation from GU) and provide it to the appellant Mr Kejriwal, as soon as possible."

Kejriwal had on Thursday had attacked CIC, asking why it was not making public the educational qualification of Modi. Kejriwal raised a demand for information about Modi's educational qualifications referring to Hans Raj Jain case, in which a complaint about information of Modi's graduation was a subject matter, it added. The order further said: "He had stated that while CIC wanted Mr Kejriwal's information to be given, CIC was obstructing the information about degrees of Mr. Modi, the prime minister. He expressed surprise over this and also doubted objectivity of the Commission." Reacting to the development, Kejriwal tweeted: "We welcome CIC decision. All speculations wud be put to rest now."
IANS