Rediff Money Wiz: New Delhi: Thursday, 9th July
2026.
CIC advises Power Grid to ensure upfront disclosure of tender & bidder documents under RTI Act. Emphasizes transparency & Section 4(1)(b) compliance.
The CIC has observed that
state-run Maharatna power transmission company Power Grid Corporation of India
Ltd (POWERGRID) "does not disclose" tender-related information in the
public domain which otherwise should ideally be available upfront to maintain
transparency in the system.
It advised the public sector undertaking to proactively disclose tender, bidder and award-related documents under the RTI Act
The Central Information Commission (CIC) issued the advisory under Section 25(5) of the RTI Act while disposing of an appeal seeking information related to POWERGRID's 765 KV Phagi-Bhiwani Circuit-I transmission line passing through Bagholi village in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district.
Information Commissioner Jaya Varma Sinha directed the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) to furnish a revised reply on one of the RTI queries relating to the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) after finding that the relevant information had not been provided.
The Commission said the utility should place key tender-related records in the public domain, including the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT), terms and conditions, information to bidders (ITB), minutes of pre-bid consultations and award letters.
Also, the estimated amount at which the tender was awarded, dates of commencement and completion of work, and the names and designations of the engineer-in-charge and supervisor.
It further observed that documents such as completion certificates, Measurement Books (MB), Quality Check Reports (QCR), Bills of Quantity (BoQ) and contractor registration certificates are generally disclosable on demand as they do not attract exemption under the RTI Act.
"A pertinent issue emanating from the instant case is that the Respondent Public Authority, in compliance with Section 4 (1) (b) of the RTI Act, does not disclose tender-related information in the public domain which otherwise, should ideally be available in the public domain upfront to maintain transparency in the system.
"In view of the above, an advisory under Section 25 (5) of the RTI Act is issued to the Respondent Public Authority for upfront disclosure of documents/ information related to tenders, award letters, etc. under Section 4 of the RTI Act to make it easy for a layperson to get relevant information through website," the CIC said.
It said every public authority shall make constant endeavour to take steps in accordance with the requirements of Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act to provide as much information suo moto to the public so that the public does not have to resort to the use of the RTI Act to obtain basic information," the order said.
Under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act, every public authority is required to proactively publish details across 17 specific categories.
Referring to the Supreme Court's 2023 judgment in Kishan Chand Jain vs Union of India & Ors., the Commission said information commissions have a duty to continuously monitor compliance with the proactive disclosure requirements under Section 4 of the RTI Act to promote transparency and accountability.
CIC advises Power Grid to ensure upfront disclosure of tender & bidder documents under RTI Act. Emphasizes transparency & Section 4(1)(b) compliance.
 |
Photograph: Courtesy,
Power Grid Corporation |
It advised the public sector undertaking to proactively disclose tender, bidder and award-related documents under the RTI Act
The Central Information Commission (CIC) issued the advisory under Section 25(5) of the RTI Act while disposing of an appeal seeking information related to POWERGRID's 765 KV Phagi-Bhiwani Circuit-I transmission line passing through Bagholi village in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district.
Information Commissioner Jaya Varma Sinha directed the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) to furnish a revised reply on one of the RTI queries relating to the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) after finding that the relevant information had not been provided.
The Commission said the utility should place key tender-related records in the public domain, including the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT), terms and conditions, information to bidders (ITB), minutes of pre-bid consultations and award letters.
Also, the estimated amount at which the tender was awarded, dates of commencement and completion of work, and the names and designations of the engineer-in-charge and supervisor.
It further observed that documents such as completion certificates, Measurement Books (MB), Quality Check Reports (QCR), Bills of Quantity (BoQ) and contractor registration certificates are generally disclosable on demand as they do not attract exemption under the RTI Act.
"A pertinent issue emanating from the instant case is that the Respondent Public Authority, in compliance with Section 4 (1) (b) of the RTI Act, does not disclose tender-related information in the public domain which otherwise, should ideally be available in the public domain upfront to maintain transparency in the system.
"In view of the above, an advisory under Section 25 (5) of the RTI Act is issued to the Respondent Public Authority for upfront disclosure of documents/ information related to tenders, award letters, etc. under Section 4 of the RTI Act to make it easy for a layperson to get relevant information through website," the CIC said.
It said every public authority shall make constant endeavour to take steps in accordance with the requirements of Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act to provide as much information suo moto to the public so that the public does not have to resort to the use of the RTI Act to obtain basic information," the order said.
Under Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act, every public authority is required to proactively publish details across 17 specific categories.
Referring to the Supreme Court's 2023 judgment in Kishan Chand Jain vs Union of India & Ors., the Commission said information commissions have a duty to continuously monitor compliance with the proactive disclosure requirements under Section 4 of the RTI Act to promote transparency and accountability.
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