RTI Query Seeking Date Of Deposit Of Rs. 15L In Citizens’ Accounts, Not ‘Information’, PMO Tells CIC [Read Order]

When will Rs. 15 Lakhs be deposited in the account of each citizen as promised by PM Narendra Modi, was one of the query by Mohan Kumar Sharma in an RTI application preferred before Prime Minister’s Office.

He also sought to know how print media houses came to know before the announcement of PM Narendra Modi about demonetization. Queries with regard to educational qualification, previous service of Urijit Patel, RBI Governor; date, month and year in which the printing of currency notes was started, etc. were also asked.

Dissatisfied with response, Sharma approached the Central Information Commission. Before the commission, the CPIO contended that these queries in the RTI application do not fall under the definition of ‘information’ as per Section 2(f) of the RTI Act.

Chief Information Commission Radha Krishna Mathur observed that the RTI application was dealt with satisfactorily.

The Commission also directed the Department of Economic Affairs to give details regarding the appointment/educational qualification of RBI Governor and reply to when the currency notes printing started, within 7 days.