Information pertaining to grant for purpose of National Day celebrations by embassy was sought - Respondent: the appellant himself was doing the arrangements & the contributions made by the officers from RG is exempt u/s 8(1)(a) - CIC: denial upheld

ORDER

RTI application:

1. The appellant filed an RTI application on 09.07.2012 seeking information pertaining to grant for purpose of National Day celebrations.

2. The CPIO responded on 28.07.2012 and provided some information to the appellant and the remaining information was denied under section 8(1)(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence; Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence; of the RTI Act. The appellant filed his first appeal on 27.08.2012 with the first appellate authority (FAA). The FAA response is not on record. The appellant filed a second appeal on 03.10.2012 with the Commission.

Hearing:

3. The respondent participated in the hearing personally.

4. The respondent referred to the RTI application of 09.07.2012 and stated that the appellant had served as Head of Administration in EOI Baghdad and had been doing the arrangements for the National Day functions. The respondent stated that the appellant was seeking copy of order sanctioning grant for purpose of National Day celebrations during the period 2011-12 and the expenditure incurred for purpose of National Day celebrations for the period 2011-12, along with supporting bills and vouchers as well as details of contribution made from Representational Grants (RG) for this purpose.

5. The respondent stated that the CPIO on 28.07.2012 responded to the appellant and provided part information. The first appellate authority on 27th August 2012 in his reply to the appellant provided all the available information taking into account that the appellant himself was doing the arrangements for the National Day celebrations. The respondent further explained that the contributions made by the officers from RG is not disclosed and it comes under the purview of section 8(1)(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence; Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, there shall be no obligation to give any citizen, information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the State, relation with foreign State or lead to incitement of an offence; of the RTI Act.

6. The appellant did not participate in the hearing.

7. The action taken by the respondent is in conformity of the RTI Act.

Decision:

8. The decision of the FAA is upheld. Commission’s intervention is not required in the matter. The appeal is disposed of. Copy of decision be given free of cost to the parties.

(Vijai Sharma)

Information Commissioner

Citation: Shri Sankara Subbu v. Embassy of India, Baghdad in Decision No.CIC/SM/A/2012/901732/VS/07742