The orders relating to assignment of consultancy should be uploaded in website of public authority

Background

The appellant sought information regarding the power and duties of six consultants appointed by the respondent. The Public Information Officer (PIO) informed that that the information sought by him had already been provided to him. On appeal, the First Appellate Authority (FAA) replied that the request of the appellant regarding placing the powers and duties of the consultants appointed by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is only suggestive in nature, hence it does not come under the definition of ‘information’ as defined in the RTI Act, 2005. Moreover, all the orders relating to assignment of consultancy have since been uploaded in MHA website.

View of CIC

During the hearing the appellant submitted that the respondent have not uploaded the information pertaining to the appointment of six consultants on their website in compliance with the provisions of Section 4 (1) of the RTI Act, 2005. On the other hand the respondent submitted that appointment of six consultants has already been uploaded in the website of the Ministry in compliance with the provisions of Section 4 (1) of the RTI Act, 2005.The Commission observed that the requisite information has been already given to the appellant and the appeal was rejected.

Citation: Shri Binu Peter v Ministry of Home Affairs in File no CIC/SS/A/2011/001815