To a query when Rs 15 lakh in every Indian’s bank account, a 2014 election promise by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would be fulfilled, the PMO told the Central Information Commission that the matter does not come under the definition of “information” under the Right to Information Act and so cannot be answered.
Mohan Kumar Sharma filed a plea under RTI on November 26, 2016 –nearly 18 days after demonetisation of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 announced by the Prime Minister — asking for the date of deposit of Rs 15 lakh in the account of every citizen.
During the hearing, Sharma told Chief Information Commissioner R K Mathur that complete information had not been provided to him by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Reserve Bank of India.
“The respondent no. 1 (PMO) stated…they have informed the appellant that information sought by him on point nos. 1 and 4 (regarding date of deposit of Rs 15 lakh in the account of each citizen as promised by PM Narendra Modi and how print media came to know about demonetisation before PM’s announcement) does not fall under the definition of “information” as per Section 2(f) of the RTI Act,” Mathur noted.
According to the section, “information” means any material in any form, including records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data held in any electronic form and information related to any private body which can be accessed by a public authority under any other law in force.
“The action/steps taken by the respondent nos. 1 (PMO) and 2 (RBI) in dealing with the RTI application are satisfactory,” Mathur noted. Modi had promised to bring back black money stashed abroad and deposit Rs 15 lakh in every citizen’s account. (DH)
