Inspection of files of the telecom service providers approved for M.P and Chhatisgarh Circles - third party information involving commercial confidence – CIC: appeal dismissed as the information is exempt under section 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act
10 Sep, 2013ORDER
1. This matter is called for hearing today dated 17.07.2013. The parties have not appeared before the Commission. Hence, the matter is being decided on the basis of material on record..
2. In the RTI application dated 23.11.2011, the appellant had sought information on 07 paras about the names of the service providers approved for M.P and Chhatisgarh Circles. The appellant had also sought information about the procedure involved in the matter of grant of licenses etc. The CPIO had responded to it, para wise, vide letter dated 14.12.2011. In the appeal memo filed before the Commission, the appellant has protested against non supply of information on paras 5 and 6 under section 8(1)(d) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, information including commercial confidence, trade secrets or intellectual property, the disclosure of which would harm the competitive position of a third party, unless the competent authority is satisfied that larger public interest warrants the disclosure of such information; of the RTI Act.
3. In paras 5 and 6 of the RTI application, the appellant has sought inspection of files of the service providers and sought copies of the records in regard thereto. Obviously, the appellant is seeking third party information. Besides; information sought by him also involves commercial confidence.
4. I am, therefore, unable to accept the request of the appellant for disclosure of information on these paras. The appeal, therefore, is being dismissed.
(M.L. Sharma)
Information Commissioner
Citation: Shri Brijender Singh v. Department of Telecommunications in File No. CIC/BS/A/2012/000644/LS