Newz Desk, Durgapur: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC), the planning wing of the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, to disclose historical data related to petrol production, imports, ethanol procurement and blending after finding that only partial information had been provided under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The order was passed by Information Commissioner Khushwant Singh Sethi while hearing an RTI appeal seeking details on petrol production and imports, ethanol blending norms, procurement and consumption, supplier information, and profits from petrol sales.
The Commission observed that the PPAC had failed to provide complete information and instructed it to furnish a revised response. It also directed the agency to provide the applicant with a soft copy of the historical data available on its website, along with the specific web link containing notifications and orders related to ethanol blending in petrol.
In addition, the CIC asked the PPAC to transfer the applicant’s query regarding ethanol suppliers to the appropriate public authority. For the request seeking company-wise details of petrol suppliers, the Commission directed the agency to invoke the relevant exemption provisions under the RTI Act, wherever applicable, while responding.
The ruling reinforces the obligation of public authorities to ensure greater transparency and provide complete information under the RTI Act, particularly on issues related to fuel production and the government’s ethanol blending programme.
