RTI Happenings: Give info on rice scam: CIC to Centre

[karira]

As reported by Ashish Tripathi in deccanherald.com on 09 June 2012:
Give info on rice scam: CIC to Centre

Give info on rice scam: CIC to Centre

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Centre to respond to an RTI application and disclose details of the investigation into the Rs 2500-crore rice export scam during the UPA 1 regime. Information Commissioner Information Commissioner directed the chief public information officer and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to respond to the queries of B R Khorana on the names of companies involved and persons jailed.

Brushing aside the government’s contention that revealing the information may hinder investigation by the CBI and the Central Vigilance Commission, the CIC, after a detailed hearing, set a two-week deadline for disclosing information on the “current status.”

“During the hearing, the respondent (ministry officials) submitted that the information sought by the appellant (Khorana), is presumably regarding export of rice, on which departmental enquiry is being conducted against certain officials of the PSUs concerned. At the time of reply to the RTI application, the matter was being considered for investigation by the CBI as well as for internal departmental proceedings. However, at a later stage, the internal departmental proceedings were initiated against certain officials of the PSUs concerned, which had not yet been concluded,” the commission noted.

[karira]

Sponsorer

The CIC order referred to in the above news report is attached.

[jetley]

I feel this decision has two very important implications.

It implies that even if information was refused by PIO at the relevant time on basis of consideration for inquiry/ongoing inquiry/departmental proceedings, IC can -



1. Order PIO to reveal all available information as on date of receipt of its order (not just till the date of the applicant's RTI application to PIO), and


2. Information can be supplied under RTI Act, even when departmental proceedings are ongoing.

Views of all learned members invited