Funds released by the Government of India to the State of Bihar
23 Jun, 2012Background
The appellant filed an application under Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Prime Minister’s Office seeking information regarding the release of funds by the Government of India to the State Government of Bihar especially during the period when Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav and Smt. Rabri Devi were the Chief Ministers of that State. The Public Information Officer (PIO) transferred the application to the Department of Expenditure which provided some information.
View of CIC
The Central Information Commission (CIC) observed that it was not possible for any single public authority in the Government of India to provide such details about the funds released under various heads during the period when some individuals were the Chief Ministers of the State of Bihar. The Commission also noted that funds are released to the state governments by various ministries and departments of the government under numerous heads and unless such details are centrally maintained in any particular office, it would be impossible for any single PIO to collect and compile such information for the entire government spread over several years. The Commission rejected the appeal stating that the desired information cannot be given in the form in which it has been sought and there was nothing more to be disclosed in the case.
Citation: Mr. Girish Prasad Gupta v. Prime Minister’s Office, in File No.CIC/SM/A/2011/000917
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2012/CIC/392
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