NEW DELHI: Taking note of the communication gap arising out of language high on jargon in a case involving a researcher, the central information commission in a recent order has asked the National Archives of India based in Delhi to communicate in “simple and clear language” that the appellant is free to visit the archives and access the relevant records for his research in accordance with the applicable rules.“The communication should avoid technical and ambiguous wordings so that the appellant fully understands his right to visit the Archives,” the order by information commissioner P R Ramesh stated.The appellant had filed an RTI application on July 16, 2024 seeking records and documents of Indian repatriates from Myanmar and related matters for research purposes.Dissatisfied with the response received from the central public information officer of National Archives, the appellant filed a first appeal on August 19, 2024 alleging that the information provided was incomplete, false and misleading. However, the First Appellant Authority in an order dated Nov 19, 2024 upheld the reply of CPIO. Dissatisfied with the response he next approached the CIC.During the hearing in the case on January 20 this year, he told the CIC that relevant information has not been provided to him till date. He stated that from the reply furnished by the PIO it is not clear whether he can inspect the files at National Archives of India. He requested the commission to allow him to inspect the records. The respondent CPIO of National Archives while defending their case before CIC submitted that the information sought by the appellant is “not specific and records sought is voluminous in nature”. She averred that anyone could inspect the records available at National Archives of India in Delhi and the records can also be accessed online at www.abhilekh-patal.in.In the RTI reply to the appellant, the CPIO had said that “research facilities are available for researchers subject to fulfillment of certain conditions as specified in the guidelines uploaded on our official website www.nationalarchives.nic.in under the head “what’s new.”The commission after hearing both parties and perusal of records, in its decision asked the public information officer of National Archives to ensure that the communication is simple and should avoid technical and ambiguous wordings.The CPIO has been directed to “afford an opportunity of inspection of relevant records to the Appellant on a mutually decided date and time within four weeks from the date of receipt of this order” and provide copy of records as may be desired by the appellant upon receipt of requisite fees as per RTI Rules. “A compliance report in this regard be filed with the Commission within a week thereafter,” the order said.