CIC Dismisses 1,282 Appeals In One Order [Read Order]

RTI applicants are expected to not transgress the spirit of the RTI Act and resort to clogging the functioning of the public authority by filing mundane RTI applications merely claiming that it is intrinsic to fighting corruption, the commission observed.Central Information Commissioner Divya Prakash Sinha has dismissed 1,282 appeals filed by retired Wing Commander of the Indian Air Force...

Non-Traceability Of The File Cannot Be A Defence To Deny Information: CIC [Read Order]

The Central Information Commission, in the case of Balendra Kumar vs Ministry of Labour and Employment, held that when information is being sought by the applicant, non-traceability of the file cannot be used as an excuse to deny the information sought.The complainant had sought details regarding certain specified files; however, the same was...

Income Tax Return Details Can’t Be Disclosed Through RTI: CIC [Read Order]

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has upheld an order rejecting an RTI application seeking details of income tax returns of a person on the ground that the disclosure would cause unwarranted invasion to the privacy of the assessee.Information Commissioner Bimal Julka was considering an appeal against an order of first appellate authority...

Maharashtra CIC Directs Maintenance Of E-Register With RTI Application And Disposal Details [Read Order]

In an effort to bring about transparency and accountability, the Maharashtra State Chief Information Commissioner recently directed the Chief Secretary of the Government of Maharashtra to maintain an e-register with details of all RTI applications and their disposal. The order has been directed to be implemented by 15 June, 2017.Appreciating the...

CIC Directs Inquiry Into Leak Of IT Returns To Third Parties [Read Order]

The Central Information Commission on Monday directed the Income Tax Department to investigate into an incident of IT returns of an RTI applicant being released to third parties without his consent.“Keeping in view the facts of the case and the submissions made by both the parties and considering the gravity and seriousness of the issues raised by...

Is RTI Being Weakened By Rules?

The government has issued a circular on 31 March giving draft rules, which it is proposing for the RTI Act.  Most citizens and media have shown considerable concern at these and there has been a feeling that  the government is trying to emasculate the RTI Act. From my experience in the RTI journey, I have realized that most people and institutions...

New RTI Rules- No Change In Fee Structure Or Word Limit In RTI Queries ; Govt. Clarifies

Central Government on Wednesday clarified that the allegation that there is a move to dilute the provisions of RTI is unfounded.The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension in a press release stated that a factually incorrect and misleading news report appeared in a section of the media that a new set of RTI Rules have been formulated...

CIC Rejects Plea Seeking Copies Of PM Modi’s Applications For Obtaining Passport [Read Order]

The Central Information Commission has upheld the CPIO’s refusal to provide to an RTI applicant copies of applications submitted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for obtaining his first passport and subsequent renewal or fresh applications for obtaining diplomatic passport.GM Chauhan, an RTI activist and member of the Congress in Gujarat, had sought...

Disclose Godse’s Statement Before Court In Gandhi Assassination Trial: CIC [Read Order]

The Central Information Commission on Thursday directed that the statement of Nathuram Godse, along with other relevant records related to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, be “proactively disclosed” on the website of the National Archives.“The Right to Information is intrinsic in this fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression as...

Before Punishing People For Not Respecting National Anthem Inform It’s Greatness To Them: CIC [Read Order]

CIC directed PMO to provide historical details about National Symbols.Central Information Commissioner M Sridhar Acharyulu has directed the PMO to initiate a fresh enquiry and trace the historical facts and footsteps that led to the Jana Gana Mana and Vande Matharam being accorded the status of national anthem and national song, respectively.He...

Delhi HC Upholds Fine Imposed On ICAR Chief Public Information Officer By CIC [Read Judgment]

The Delhi High Court has upheld an order by the Chief Information Commissioner(CIC) imposing a fine of Rs. 25,000 on the Chief Public Information Officer(CPIO) of Indian Council for Agricultural Research(ICAR) for not providing information sought by an applicant.An RTI applicant had sought information on various expenses incurred by the ICAR in...

Delhi HC Stays CIC Order Says Commission Prima Facie Exceeded Its Jurisdiction [Read Order]

The Delhi High Court has stayed an order of the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), wherein the Public Information Officer of Tihar Jail was ordered to pay compensation to one Om Prakash Gandhi for keeping him under extra detention.The CIC had also directed the authorities of Tihar Jail to frame guidelines for dispute resolution regarding...