Ever wondered about the public money spent on official tours former Prime Ministers and their cabinets? It’s a crucial question for every Indian citizen who pays taxes. Understanding how public funds are utilized is a fundamental right, and the Right to Information (RTI) Act empowers you to seek this information. This article delves into a real RTI case that highlights the challenges and possibilities of obtaining such data, offering valuable insights for your own RTI journey.
Background: What Information Was Sought
In a significant RTI application, an applicant approached the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) with a series of pertinent questions. The core of the request was to ascertain the cost reimbursed for the medical treatment of former Prime Minister Sri Atal Vihari Vajpayee, as well as the expenses incurred on his official tours, both within India and abroad. Furthermore, the applicant sought to know the total tour and travel costs for all ministers who served in the former Prime Minister’s Cabinet during their tenure. This comprehensive request aimed to shed light on significant public expenditure.
How the Public Authority Responded
The Public Information Officer (PIO) at the PMO, faced with the broad scope of the RTI query, found it necessary to transfer parts of the application to various other public authorities. This included ministries such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Defence, among others, as these departments might hold relevant pieces of the information. However, the responses received from the PIOs of these ministries were largely unhelpful. Instead of providing substantive information, they either offered vague responses or provided no clear reason for not disclosing the details. In one instance, the PIO of the Indian Air Force stated that the requested information was not available, citing that it was more than five years old, implying a record retention issue or a lack of accessible historical data.
The CIC Hearing: What Happened
The matter eventually reached the Central Information Commission (CIC), the highest appellate authority under the RTI Act. The CIC, during its hearing, acknowledged a significant challenge in consolidating the information regarding travel costs. It was observed that the expenses for such tours are often borne multitude of public authorities, and no single ministry or department maintains a consolidated record of these collective costs. This means that obtaining a complete picture from any one public authority, like a specific ministry, would be practically impossible. The Commission recognized that citizens would otherwise have to navigate a complex web of government departments to piece together such information.
The CIC Order and Its Significance
The CIC, in its landmark order, provided clear directions to address the complexity of the situation. Firstly, it directed the PIO of the PMO to present this order to the competent authority. The purpose was to explore the feasibility of creating a system to collect such consolidated information from various public authorities at least once annually. The ultimate goal was to make this aggregated data publicly accessible, perhaps it on the government’s website. This would significantly reduce the burden on citizens who currently have to approach multiple ministries to gather this kind of expenditure data. Secondly, concerning the medical treatment costs of the former Prime Minister, the CIC directed the PIO of the Ministry of Health to diligently search for any available information within the ministry and provide it to the applicant. If the information was incomplete or not available, the PIO was instructed to clearly state this fact in their reply. The Commission also advised the applicant to directly approach individual ministries to obtain information regarding the travel costs incurred , both within and outside India, during the specified period. This approach acknowledges the decentralized nature of such records.
Key Lessons for RTI Applicants
- Lesson 1: Be Specific but Realistic: While it’s important to be precise in your RTI application, understand that some information might be fragmented across multiple departments. The CIC’s observation highlights that consolidated data isn’t always readily available.
- Lesson 2: Understand Departmental Roles: Recognize that different government bodies handle different aspects of public expenditure. Your RTI application might need to be directed to multiple authorities, or you might be advised to approach them individually, as in this case.
- Lesson 3: The Power of Suggestion: The CIC’s directive to the PMO to explore a consolidated annual report on tour costs is a powerful example of how RTI can push for systemic improvements. Your RTI application, even if it doesn’t yield immediate complete data, can highlight the need for better record-keeping and public access.
How to File a Similar RTI Application
- Identify the Relevant Public Authority: For information related to tours and expenses of former Prime Ministers or ministers, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is often a good starting point. However, be prepared to be directed to other ministries like Finance, External Affairs, or Defence.
- Clearly State Your Request: Be specific about the period, the individuals (e.g., former Prime Minister, ministers), and the type of information you seek (e.g., tour costs, medical expenses).
- File the RTI Application: You can file an RTI application online through the government’s RTI portal or offline to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned department. Include a fee of Rs. 10 (usually order or demand draft).
- Follow Up and Appeal: If you do not receive a satisfactory response within 30 days (or 35 days if transferred), you have the right to file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority. If the appeal is also unsuccessful, you can then approach the Central Information Commission (CIC) or State Information Commission (SIC).
Sample RTI question you can use:
Please provide a consolidated report of all expenses incurred on the official tours within India and abroad ministers of the [Specify Former Prime Minister’s Name] Cabinet during the period [Start Date] to [End Date]. If a consolidated report is not available, please provide details of how such information is maintained and which public authorities hold these records.
Conclusion
This case underscores the importance of the RTI Act as a tool for transparency and accountability in governance. While obtaining certain types of consolidated financial data can be challenging due to fragmented record-keeping, the CIC’s intervention shows a commitment to improving public access to information. the process and leveraging the power of RTI, citizens can effectively seek answers about how their tax money is spent, contributing to a more informed and engaged democracy.
