Centre no to sharing 10% quota decision details, rejects RTI plea

New Delhi, February 10

The government has refused to share details of the decision-making process on quota for economically weaker section (EWS) citing a clause of the RTI Act that bars disclosure of records of cabinet papers and discussions by ministers.

Venkatesh Nayak, who works as Programme Coordinator, Access to information Programme with NGO Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), had sought details like copy of cabinet note on the matter, besides correspondence received from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in this regard.

The Centre has implemented 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections of the general category in central government posts and services from February 1, 2019, onwards.

In reply to Nayak’s RTI query, the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry said the requisite information cannot be provided as it was exempted under Section 8 (1) (i) of the transparency law.

The Section bars disclosure of “cabinet papers, including records of deliberations of the council of ministers, secretaries and other officers”. — PTI