CIC: provide documents on meeting(s) of PMO with Walmart lobbyists, files notings on setting up of Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee to probe lobbying by foreign and steps taken to prevent lobbying; update information of website u/s 4(2)
28 Aug, 2014Information sought:
The appellant had sought information regarding documents/correspondence on meeting(s) of PMO with Walmart lobbyists, files notings/correspondence on setting up of Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee to probe lobbying by foreign companies mentioning terms and reference, action taken on the same and steps taken to prevent lobbying.
Relevant facts emerging during hearing:
Both the parties are present. The appellant had filed an RTI application on 22.10.2013 seeking the above mentioned information. The PIO/Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in his reply informed on Points 4, 5 & 6 that Justice Mukul Committee has submitted its report and that subsequent follow-up action in is progress; report will be made available once the report is laid in the parliament. The FAA in his order upheld the PIO’s reply. The respondent stated that information on Points 4 & 5 can be provided as the report has now been laid down in the parliament but Point 6 can be provided by Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) only. The appellant urged that there is public interest involved and that such information should be available in the public domain.
Decision:
After hearing both the parties and on perusal of documents, the Commission directs the respondent to provide information on Points 4 & 5 to the appellant, within two weeks of receipt of this order, under intimation to the Commission. The Commission also directs the respondent to transfer the RTI application to PIO/DIPP, within five days of receipt of this order and PIO/DIPP shall provide information on Point 6 within two weeks of receipt of RTI application, under intimation to the Commission. The Commission appreciates the matter raised by the appellant in public interest and his concern that such information should be in public domain. The Respondents are hereby directed that such information as can be made available, be updated on their website u/s 4(2) It shall be a constant endeavour of every public authority to take steps in accordance with the requirements of clause (b) of sub-section (1) to provide as much information suo motu to the public at regular intervals through various means of communications, including internet, so that the public have minimum resort to the use of this Act to obtain information. of the Act, so that the public have minimum resort to this Act. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
(Yashovardhan Azad)
Information Commissioner
Citation: Shri S.C. Agrawal v. Ministry of Corporate Affairs in F.No. CIC/KY/A/2014/000073-YA