Mr. R.K. Jain Versus CPIO & VP-Legal, Goods & Service Tax Network, New Delhi
GST
2018 (5) TMI 524 – CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION – 2018 (15) G. S. T. L. 694 (CIC)
CENTRAL INFORMATION COMMISSION – Commission
Dated:- 23-4-2018
CIC/MOFIN/C/2017/311791/CCEDL-BJ
GST
Bimal Julka Information Commissioner
ORDER
FACTS:
The Complainant vide his RTI application sought information on 09 points (A to I) regarding details and copies of monthly expenses, bills/ statements of GSTN from April, 2014 till the date of providing information, details of the expenditure / purchase made for an amount above Rs. 50,000/- from 01.04.2014 till date, name of the officer from whom the said articles were purchased or services provided, etc.
The CPIO and VP-Legal vide its letter dated 01.09.2016, provided a point wise response to the Complainant. Dissatisfied by the response, the Complainant approached the FAA. The order of the FAA, if any, is not on the record of the Commission.
HEARING:
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cuments despite several requests to do the same. Furthermore, it was argued that voluminous data was involved and it was not cost effective to disclose the information. The data sought was for almost two and a half years which was voluminous and contained very minor details of the logistics and infrastructural support which was not feasible to be provided. During the hearing, the Complainant volunteered to seek information pertaining to the purchases made above Rs. 5/- lakh. The Respondent however, reiterated his constraints to furnish the same. On a query from the Commission whether the detailed accounts were prepared and published by GSTN, he feigned ignorance and vaguely submitted that to the best of his knowledge, the statement of accounts had been prepared till 2015-2016. He was not aware of the audited reports or annual reports submitted by the said authority. The Commission desired that the broad income and expenditure statement prepared by the Public Authority should be posted
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tc.
The Commission observed that a voluntary disclosure of all information that ought to be displayed in the public domain should be the rule and members of public who having to seek information should be an exception. An open government, which is the cherished objective of the RTI Act, can be realised only if all public offices comply with proactive disclosure norms. Section 4(2) of the RTI Act mandates every public authority to provide as much information suo-motu to the public at regular intervals through various means of communications, including the Internet, so that the public need not resort to the use of RTI Act.
The Commission also observed the Hon'ble Delhi High Court ruling in WP (C) 12714/2009 Delhi Development Authority v. Central Information Commission and Another (delivered on: 21.05.2010), wherein it was held as under:
“16.It also provides that the information should be easily accessible and to the extent possible should be in electronic format with the Central Publ
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16.07.2012 had held as under:
“8. The RTI Act, as per its preamble was enacted to enable the citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority. An informed citizenry and transparency of information have been spelled out as vital to democracy and to contain corruption and to hold Governments and their instrumentalities accountable to the governed. The said legislation is undoubtedly one of the most significant enactments of independent India and a landmark in governance. The spirit of the legislation is further evident from various provisions thereof which require public authorities to:
A. Publish inter alia:
i) the procedure followed in the decision making process;
ii) the norms for the discharge of its functions;
iii) rules, regulations, instructions manuals and records used by its employees in discharging of its functions;
iv) the manner and e
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