Compiling information v/s Creating/Generating information....

[karira]

In a recent decision, CIC has ruled that although CPIO should not be expected to "create or generate" information as requested by the applicant, he is certainly expected to collate and compile the information and provide it to the applicant.

http://cic.gov.in/CIC-Orders/WB-28082008-06.pdf

The plea of respondents before us, which was not the plea taken in responding to the RTI request, that the information will need to be compiled and the public authority is not required to do so under a decision of CIC, is not borne out by the very decision cited. That decision in Appeal No.CIC/MA/A/2006/00653 refers to a public authority not being expected to “create and generate afresh information” where none exists, “because it is sought by an appellant”. Where the information already exists and the issue is simply compiling it to provide an applicant, it is quite clearly the responsibility of the CPIO who is expected to collate the existing information and provide it to the applicant, in the form ordinarily to be provided in which it is sought.

[ganpat1956]

Also refer to the CIC decision cited in post #1 at Information that has to be "created" or "collected", cannot be denied under RTI.....