Govt Refuses RTI Disclosure On Russia Oil Imports, Citing Strategic, Commercial Confidentiality

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Apr 27 (KNN) The Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Oil Ministry has declined to disclose detailed data on crude oil imports from Russia to India, citing the“commercial and confidential” nature of the information.

The decision has been upheld by the Central Information Commission (CIC), which said disclosure could affect the country's strategic and economic interests, PTI reported.

RTI Plea and Denial

The case relates to a Right to Information (RTI) application seeking company-wise and country-specific details of crude oil imports from Russia between June 2022 and June 2025.

The request covered firms including Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, ONGC Videsh Limited, Reliance Industries Limited and Nayara Energy.

"The information pertaining to country-wise and company-wise details of crude oil import is of commercial and confidential nature and is exempted from disclosure under section 8(1) (d&e) of the RTI Act 2005," the PPAC said.

It added that aggregate import data is publicly available on the PPAC website. The First Appellate Authority upheld this response.

Commission's Observations

During the hearing, the appellant argued that the denial limited public understanding of India's oil import dynamics. However, in its interim order, the Commission held that disclosure of the requested data could“prejudicially affect the strategic and economic interest of the State” and potentially impact relations with foreign countries.

The CIC ruled that exemptions under Sections 8(1)(a) and 8(1)(d) of the RTI Act were applicable and concluded that no further relief was warranted.

Directions and Compliance Issues

The Commission also issued a show-cause notice to a PPAC official for failing to attend the hearing despite prior notice, asking why action under Section 20(1) of the RTI Act should not be taken.

Separately, it flagged gaps in proactive disclosures, noting that the authority's RTI section lacked key information.

It directed PPAC to comply with Section 4 of the RTI Act and improve suo motu disclosures, including organisational details, functions, staff responsibilities, documents held, and employee remuneration structures.

(KNN Bureau)

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