Disclose Cabinet note, annexure related to EWS quota: CIC

New Delhi, March 26

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The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the government to disclose the Cabinet note along with all relevant correspondence and annexure related to the 103rd Constitution amendment which paved way for 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) of society. The commission dismissed the argument of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment citing Section 8(1)(i) of the RTI, which exempts from disclosure of Cabinet papers, including records of deliberations of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other officer calling it “grossly inappropriate”.

The section allows that the decisions of Council of Ministers, the reasons thereof, and the material on the basis of which the decisions were taken shall be made public after the decision has been taken, and the matter is complete, or over but the ministry still denied the information. “…no justification was provided for invoking the said exemption. In fact, the CPIO merely reproduced the provision of Section 8(1)(i) in his reply to the RTI application. — PTI