CWG scam: PMO refuses info on Shunglu recommendations on CAG

The PMO has refused to disclose information on action taken on suggestions made by the Shunglu panel, which probed alleged irregularities in 2010 Commonwealth Games-related projects here.
To an RTI query, the Prime Minister's Office said it was being examined by a Group of Ministers (GoM) and hence exempted under the Right to Information Act.
The PMO, in reply to a query whether the government was considering to make Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) a three-member body on the basis of the committee's suggestion, said "information regarding future course of action" cannot be accessed under the transparency law.
The High Level Committee (HLC) led by former CAG V K Shunglu had in March 2011 written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh suggesting changes in the country's top auditing body, Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Controller of Accounts under Delhi government, Central Vigilance Commission and Delhi Development Authority.

"The said letter dated March 29, 2011 from V K Shunglu, former CAG and Chairman of High Level Committee, has been referred to a Group of Ministers... To look into issues relating to the reports of the High Level Committee and consider the views expressed on the findings and recommendations by the concerned ministries or departments," the PMO said in reply to an RTI query filed by PTI.
It cited an exemption clause of the Act to deny information sought in the plea.

"In terms of rule 6 (4) of the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, a Group of Ministers is an ad hoc committee of the Cabinet.

"As such, the information sought is exempt from disclosure in terms of Section 8(1)(i) of the Right to Information Act," the reply said.
The Section bars disclosure of information on Cabinet papers including records of deliberations of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other officers.