Foreign tour expenses of SAIL Chairman can't be withheld: CIC

CIC said expenses should be made public as they do not qualify exemption from RTI Act under 'commercial confidence' clause

The expenses incurred on foreign tours of Steel Authority of India Chairman should be made public as they do not qualify exemption from the RTI Act under 'commercial confidence' clause, CIC has held.

The information was sought by an RTI applicant--foreign trips made by the Chairman of Steel Authority of India during 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14, countries visited, money spent and benefits achieved to the company.

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It was denied by the SAIL, saying foreign tour of Chairman, SAIL is regulated as per the order of Ministry of Steel and since the visit relates to company's business it is exempt from disclosure under section 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act.

Information Commissioner Yashovardhan Azad said, "Upon perusal of the records of the case, the Commission observes that there is no justification in denial of the information by the respondent."

He said it is directed that factual information against the first three points be provided, within two weeks of receipt of this order.