Vinayak Chatterjee files an RTI to seek data on GCFI

Vinayak Chatterjee has filed an RTI application to seek information on the data pertaining to Gross Capital Formation in Infrastructure (GCFI) from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the Planning Commission, and the Ministry of Finance. This was filed in his individual capacity.

In the RTI, Vinayak Chatterjee, who is the Chairman of Feedback Ventures, stated, “While the focus of the government on the infrastructure sector is laudable, it is surprising that there is no authentic data available on ‘Gross Capital Formation in Infrastructure’. The government has routinely shared statistics such as GDP, Industry-Agriculture-Services Output, Inflation, Forex Reserves, FDI, Fiscal Deficit, and Revenue Deficit? whereas all information on the investment in the infrastructure sector is just at a ‘planned and potential’ level”. Vinayak poses the issues, “How can one measure the steps taken to create new infrastructure? How can one evaluate the result of schemes and policies? We need to address these questions amongst others to understand the accurate status of infrastructure development in the country.”

The specific information sought in the RTI petition is as follows:

1. Details regarding since which plan-period the data in respect of gross capital formation in the infrastructure sector is being collected and maintained.
2. Year-wise details of the targets set for GCFI in the Public and Private Sector in the plan document for the 11th Plan period.
3. The figure for GCFI in the first two years of the 11th Plan Period i.e. the Financial Years 2007-08 and 2008-09. The gross figures as well as the figures separately for the Public Sector and the Private Sector may be provided.
4. Details of the existing process of collecting and compiling the statistical data at the national level for gross capital formation in the infrastructure sector both in the public as well as in the private domain.
5. Details regarding the Ministry, Division and / or Institution of the Government of India which has been mandated with the task of collecting, collating and disseminating the statistical data and information with respect to infrastructural investments both in the public and in the private sector.
6. Clarity on whether the statistics for gross capital formation in the infrastructure sector are being disseminated to the public. If yes, the form and manner and the sources through which it is being disseminated.
7. In case no data regarding gross capital formation in public & private sector infrastructure is currently being maintained; the details regarding the current plans for initiating the process of collecting, collating and disseminating such statistical data; and the intervals of time at which this statistics shall be disseminated to the public.

Vinayak Chatterjee is hopeful that similar pressure on the government for GCFI data from different quarters will provide the necessary impetus to have it provided on a regular basis.