Information regarding disinvestment of Hindustan Zinc Limited in 2002 along with opinion of the Department of Legal Affairs in the matter - CIC: PIO directed to fix a mutually convenient date for inspection of records and provide certified copies
12 Apr, 2014Information sought:
Information under RTI Act 2005 regarding illegal disinvestment of Hindustan Zinc Limited in 2002 with opinion of the Department of Legal Affairs in the matter.
Relevant facts emerging during hearing:The appellant filed an RTI application on 31st December, 2012 seeking information with regard to the opinion of Department of Legal Affairs of the Government ofIndia on disinvestment of Hindustan Zinc and the proposal to deal with the remaining shares. The CPIO in his reply dated 28th January, 2013 intimated that no such advise was received from the Department of Legal Affairs and secondly that the entire matter of Hindustan Zinc Ltd. was under arbitration. The Appellant being dissatisfied with the CPIO’s reply, filed first appeal dated 15.2.2013. In his appealit was clearly mentioned that information was sought regarding advise from Department of Legal Affairs on the points raised by Secretary, Mines over the issue of disinvestment and indicated in the DO letter No.4(3)/2012DOD dated 23rd May, 2012 from Secretary, Department of Disinvestment, GOI. The appellant also statedthat the factual position was different and that the advice was tendered by the Department of Legal Affairs as reflected in the copies of the three news items of CNBC TV 18 TODAY dated 18.12.2012 and 21.1.2013 and MAIL TODAY dated 9.2.2013. The First Appellate Authority in its order dated 26.03.2013 gave information with regard to the points raised by the appellant. The appellant filed 2nd appeal stating that the FAA order lacked certain basic information and prayed that inspection be allowed and certified copies of the documents be provided.
Decision:
The Commission hereby directs the CPIO to fix a mutually convenient date and timefor inspection of records and provide certified copies of documents sought by the appellant within 2 weeks of receipt of the order.The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
(Yashovardhan Azad)
Information Commissioner
Citation: Shri L.L. Gehalot v. Ministry of Mines in F. No. CIC/SM/A/2013/001076YA