Read Time: 04 minutes

Synopsis

The Delhi High Court has directed the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to furnish a copy of the agreement signed with an external organization for handling grievance redressal on its behalf under the Right to Information Act (RTI Act). The order came in response to a plea filed by lawyer Prashant Reddy T.

The bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad clarified that agreements between the UIDAI and external organizations involved in the grievance redressal mechanism could be provided under the RTI Act. However, non-disclosure agreements with personnel and details of individuals covered under the agreement could be redacted while providing copies.

Court emphasized that transparency is crucial for good governance, promoting efficiency and effectiveness in government functioning.

Justice Prasad noted that confidentiality is intended to protect individuals' details, but the entire contract need not be kept secret, especially when encouraging public participation in such ventures.

The order overturned a Central Information Commission (CIC) decision from March 20, 2023, which denied access to the contract copy. While the CIC had directed UIDAI to disclose staff figures and the number of resolved complaints, it rejected the request for the contract copy.

Prashant Reddy T, the petitioner, had sought various details about grievance redressal in UIDAI through an RTI application. The high court ruled that the contract between UIDAI and an external organization falls within the definition of 'information' under the RTI Act.

Justice Prasad asserted that contracts awarded pursuant to tenders should be transparent. He modified the CIC's order, mandating UIDAI to provide the contract copy to the petitioner while protecting sensitive details.

This decision reinforces the principles of transparency and accountability, setting a precedent for disclosing crucial agreements between government entities and external organizations.

Case Title: PRASHANT REDDY T. V. CPIO, UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITY OF INDIA