Can information related to cheques encashed by Panchayat be provided under RTI?

Background

The appellant wanted the copies of the cheques encashed by a particular Panchayat between 2005 and 2010 and the resolutions submitted along with the cheques. The Public Information Officer (PIO) refused for the information claiming that it was third-party confidential information.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission directed the PIO to disclose the information stating that the information of commercial confidence is exempt 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. But since the Panchayat is a public body the disclosure of the desired information would serve larger public interest as it would bring greater transparency and accountability in the working of the Panchayat.

Citation: Shri Ajay Kumar Vashisht v Punjab National Bank in File No. CIC/SM/A/2011/000687