Information about PMO such as Anti-corruption unit in the PMΟ, generic mail ID, complaints of corruption against Public Servants, SOP followed for PMs photographs, speeches, interviews and bio-data etc. - CIC: Appropriate information has been provided

Information sought and background of the case:

The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 25.05.2024 seeking information on the following points:-

“(1) kindly provide me the work profile of Anti-corruption unit in the PMΟ.

(2) kindly mention the name and designation of incharge (Head) of Anticorruption unit in the Prime Minister’s Office.

(3) Kindly provide me the generic mail ID of Anti-corruption unit in the Prime Ministers Office.

(4) kindly provide me the name and designation of official who is authorised/ responsible to handle generic mail ID of Anti-corruption unit in the Prime Minister’s Office.

(5) kindly provide me the work profile of Information unit in the Prime Ministers Office.

(6) kindly mention the name and designation of incharge (Head) of Information unit in the Prime Minister Office.

(7) Kindly provide me the generic mail ID of Information unit in the Prime Minister Office.

(8) kindly provide me the name and designation of official who is authorised/ responsible to handle generic mail ID of Information unit in the Prime Minister Office.

(9) kindly provide me the no. of complaints of corruption against Public Servants received in the Anti-corruption unit of PMO during Jan-Mar 2024 quarter.

(10) kindly provide me the copy of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) followed for dealing the complaints of corruption against Public Servants received in the Anti-corruption unit of PMO.

(11) kindly provide me the no. of requests for PMs photographs, speeches, interviews and bio-data received in the Information unit of PMO during Jan-Mar 2024 quarter.

(12) kindly provide me the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) followed for dealing with the requests for PMs photographs, speeches, interviews and bio-data received in the Information unit of PMO.”

Dissatisfied on not receiving any response from the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 26.06.2024. The FAA vide order dated 26.07.2024 held as under:-

“3. I have examined records in the matter. By way of appeal, you have stated that response to your RTI Application has not been provided to you. On perusal of records, the CPIO, PMO is directed to provide response to you within 15 working days from the date of issue of this letter.

4. The appeal is disposed of with the direction as above.”

In compliance with the FAO, the CPIO vide letter dated 10.02.2025 stated as follows:-

“………..for point no. 03 & 7 of your RTI application is as below: -

"There is no separate e-mail ID for submitting grievance petitions /complaints / suggestions to Prime Minister/Prime Minister’s Office. However, for lodging the grievances / complaints / suggestions, kindly refer to the website of the Prime Minister’s Office - www.pmindia.gov.in/- Right to Information (from drop down menu) Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs relating to Public Grievances." –

2. Further, the response for rest of the points of your RTI application dated 25.05.2024 is enclosed (2 pages).

(i) Anti-Corruption Unit has been entrusted to examine and deal with all complaints/allegations against Secretaries to GoI, CMDs of PSUs, Staff of Government of India or functionaries of the State Government who are in the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India or above.

(ii), (iv), (ix) & (x) Prime Minister's Office receives numerous complaints from various quarters against individuals, public servants etc. of both Central and various State Governments. These complaints are considered on a case to case basis by concerned sectoral officers and forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs/DoPT or to the respective Ministries/Departments/State Governments for action as appropriate. Subsequent actions are taken by the departments concerned after due examination of the complaints. Cases which require approval at the level of the Prime Minister, such as sanction of prosecution against Ministers/officials etc. are submitted to him.

Point No. 5, 6 & 8:-While the details of Officers posted in PMO may be seen on the website at www.pmindia.gov.in,

Point No. 11 & 12:-All speeches by the Prime Minister and interviews, given by him and photographs of Prime Minister during various events are available in public domain.”

Aggrieved and dissatisfied, the Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.

Facts emerging in Course of Hearing:

Hearing was scheduled after giving prior notice to both the parties.

Appellant: None

Respondent: Shri Parvesh Kumar – CPIO/US, PMO was present during hearing through video conference.

The Respondent stated that information with respect to the queries raised by the Appellant, had been duly sent to him, on the basis of available official records, in consonance with the provisions of the RTI Act. The Appellant did not wish to participate in the hearing.

Decision

Upon perusal of records of the case and after hearing averments of the parties, the Commission is of the considered opinion that information available on record with the public authority as defined under Section 2(f) “information” means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material held in any electronic form and information relating to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law for the time being in force; of the RTI Act has been duly furnished to the Appellant, in terms of the provisions of the RTI Act. The Appellant has chosen not to contest the case. In the given circumstances, since appropriate information in terms of provisions of the RTI Act has already been provided by the Respondent, no further intervention is warranted in this case, under the RTI Act.

The appeal is disposed off accordingly.

Heeralal Samariya

Chief Information Commissioner

Citation: Shri Riju Mathew v. Prime Minister's Office, Second Appeal No. CIC/PMOIN/A/2024/637283; Date of Decision : 21.08.2025