Quantity & value of supplies received by a private ltd body - PIO: information is not available with DGFT’s office & they are not obliged to collect the same - CIC: transfer the application to Central Excise department with directions to respond to it
17 Feb, 2014Quantity and value of supplies received from M/s Evergreen Drums and Cans (P) Ltd, Howrah by M/s Oceanic Tropical Fruits (P) Ltd, Chennai - PIO: information is not available with DGFT’s office and they are not obliged to collect the same - CIC: transfer the application to the Central Excise department with directions to provide a response to the appellant
FACTS
Vide RTI dt 1.11.12, appellant had sought copy of complete list for detail of material received by M/s Oceanic Tropical Fruits (P) Ltd, Chennai under invalidation letter dt 2.7.09 mentioning quantity and value of supplies received from M/s Evergreen Drums and Cans (P) Ltd, Howrah.
2. An appeal was filed (copy not enclosed).
3. AA vide order dt 18.2.13, observed that third party information can be provided if larger public interest is involved. In the instant case, appellant has sought information for market survey and hence the same was denied.
4. Submissions made by the appellant and public authority were heard. CPIO clarified that the information being sought by the appellant is not available with DGFT’s office and they are not obliged to collect the same. They issue export license for the quantity of the product. The information being sought by the appellant as to how many cans are provided by M/s Evergreen Drums and Cans (P) Ltd to M/s Oceanic Tropical Fruits (P) Ltd, Chennai, is not available with them, however the same may be available with the Central Excise. Appellant submitted that he was seeking this information in connection with market survey and larger public interest was involved. He also questioned the submissions of the public authority that the information was not available with them.
DECISION
5. In the light of the submissions made by the public authority that the information does not reside with them, we direct the CPIO to transfer the RTI to the Central Excise department with directions to provide a response to the appellant. The appeal is disposed of.
(Rajiv Mathur)
Central Information Commissioner
Citation: Shri Sanjay Rungta v. Director General, Foreign Trade in File No.CIC/SS/A/2013/001065/RM