Disclosure of development control provisions applicable to the SEZs under RTI

Background        

The appellant filed an RTI application with the Public Information Officer (PIO), seeking information on the 104 acres of farmland earmarked for urban planning in the city’s Master Plan for 2021 that DSIIDC had reportedly acquired for a Special Economic Zone (SEZ); and also sought for the development of SEZ in Delhi in general. The appellant had requested for information about the applicable provisions of the Master Plan and Zonal Plans, and copies of the relevant decisions and records. PIO replied to the appellant stating that there is no proposal of any SEZ in the urbanizable area of Delhi. He further stated that a proposal had been received from DSIIDC and was being examined as part of the finalization of the zonal development plan of a particular zone under preparation with the DDA. The appellant filed an appeal before the first appellate authority (FAA) stating that the PIO had not given specific reply to her RTI application. The FAA replied to the appellant informed that the matter related to Master Plan provisions, which was referred to the concerned officers. The appellant filed an appeal before the Commission. The appellant stated that she wanted information on specific provisions of Master Plan and Rural Plan and copies of appropriate records of any decisions of the authority or its Committees in relation to the 104 acres in question and the SEZ. The respondent elaborated on various activities of the DDA in connection with the RTI application and the proposals received from DSIIDC under examination of the DDA. The appellant sought clarifications from the DDA on the above subject.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) held that the information sought by the appellant in the RTI application should be provided under the RTI Act, including the development control provisions applicable to the SEZs in context of the Master Plan and Zonal Plans. Accordingly, the CIC directed to that above information should be provided by the respondent and a compliance report should be filed with the Commission.

Citation: Ms. Gita Dewan Verma v. Delhi Development Authority, in Decision No.CIC/WB/A/2008/00296/VS/00217