CIC orders Lok Sabha to rethink refusal on Rs 1.7 crore electronic bills and disclosures

RTI sought invoices, but secrecy was defended as competition harm

The Central Information Commission has instructed the Lok Sabha Secretariat to revisit its refusal to share invoices for electronic procurement worth Rs 1.7 crore in 2021-22. An RTI applicant sought bill copies and spending details for computer hardware and peripherals, including laptops, printers, scanners, UPS systems and tablets. While item-wise expenditure was provided, invoices were withheld under the claim that disclosure would harm a third party’s competitive position. The CIC ruled the denial was unreasoned and unsubstantiated under Section 11, ordering either invoice disclosure or a revised explanation, with penalties possible for non-compliance.