Tweet
CIC directs Govt to release CVC report on Prasar Bharati
The Central Information Commission on Monday directed the Government to make public the report of the CVC on the working of the Prasar Bharati.
The report indicting Prasar Bharati’s former CEO BS Lalli gave details of alleged irregularities in awarding telecast rights. It was withheld by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which claimed that the disclosure would impede the process of investigation.
The case relates to an RTI applicant Aseem Takyar who had sought to know from the Ministry the reports of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) against the then Prasar Bharti Lalli.
The Ministry said, “information sought vide your application relates to the matter which is under investigation and furnishing of information would impede the process of investigation and hence the information was denied under Section 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act”.
The Section allows withholding of information which would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders by a Government department.
Rejecting the arguments of the Ministry, Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said, “The Respondent (Ministry) has not given any justification or reasoning how disclosing the information would impede the process of investigation.”
“Denial of a citizen’s Fundamental Right must be justified and the mere act of continuing an investigation cannot be used to deny citizens’ rights. In view of this, the Commission does not accept the denial of information under Section 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act,” Gandhi said ordering the Ministry to disclose the information before February 28.
The Central Information Commission on Monday directed the Government to make public the report of the CVC on the working of the Prasar Bharati.
The report indicting Prasar Bharati’s former CEO BS Lalli gave details of alleged irregularities in awarding telecast rights. It was withheld by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which claimed that the disclosure would impede the process of investigation.
The case relates to an RTI applicant Aseem Takyar who had sought to know from the Ministry the reports of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) against the then Prasar Bharti Lalli.
The Ministry said, “information sought vide your application relates to the matter which is under investigation and furnishing of information would impede the process of investigation and hence the information was denied under Section 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act”.
The Section allows withholding of information which would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders by a Government department.
Rejecting the arguments of the Ministry, Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said, “The Respondent (Ministry) has not given any justification or reasoning how disclosing the information would impede the process of investigation.”
“Denial of a citizen’s Fundamental Right must be justified and the mere act of continuing an investigation cannot be used to deny citizens’ rights. In view of this, the Commission does not accept the denial of information under Section 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act,” Gandhi said ordering the Ministry to disclose the information before February 28.
