Central Information Commission Summons Indian Political Parties For Non-compliance Of Order

Six national political parties have been summoned by the Central Information Commission (CIC) for hearing on non-compliance of the commission order on November 21, 2014.

“…Now, therefore, a notice is issued to appear before the Commission either in person or through a duly authorized representative at 1600 hrs on November 21, 2014 (Friday) in Court Room No. 314…and produce all relevant documents and records relating to the action taken in pursuance of the directions contained in the Commission's order dated June 3, 2013,” stated CIC in its latest order in the matter.

It further stated that CIC will be initiating an enquiry into the matter. “…and whereas, response(s) has been received only from four political parties viz. CPI (M), CPI, AICC and NCP. BJP and BSP have not responded at all. and whereas after perusing the responses received, this Commission is satisfied under sub-section (2) of section 18 of the Act that there are reasonable grounds to inquire into the matter and accordingly, it is decided to initiate an inquiry in the matter,” the commission said in the order.

RTI activist Subhash Chandra Agarwal had sought information on the disclosure of the accounts and funding of political parties. Following the response received from the parties, The CIC in its order dated June 3, 2013 had stated that Indian National Congress (INC or AICC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (Marxist; CPI (M), Communist Party of India (CPI), National Congress Party (NCP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), are being substantially financed by the government, thus bringing them under the ambit of RTI Act and making them public authorities.

“The Presidents, general secretaries of these political parties are hereby directed to designate CPIOs and the Appellate Authorities at their headquarters in 06 weeks time. The CPIOs so appointed will respond to the RTI applications extracted in this order in 04 weeks time. Besides, the Presidents/General Secretaries of the above mentioned Political Parties are also directed to comply with the provisions of section 4(1) (b) of the RTI Act by way of making voluntary disclosures on the subjects mentioned in the said clause,” ordered the commission.

The CIC, in September, had also issued a show-cause notice to the political parties for non-compliance of the commission’s order. “Attitude of political parties is an insult to an institution formed through legislation passed by the Parliament. If political parties and Union government were not agreeable to CIC verdict, they should have challenged the verdict in court. Even legislation to amend RTI Act for the purpose was deferred despite Parliamentary Committee’s recommendations perhaps because the then Attorney General opined against such legislation,” said Agarwal.