‘Reliance Infrastructure under RTI’ order stayed

The Bombay High Court has stayed an order passed by the State Information Commission (SIC) which stated that Reliance Infrastructure Ltd (R-Infra), the Anil Ambani-led company, is also covered under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

A division bench of Justice BH Marlapalle and Justice Nishita Mhatre granted an interim stay and directed the government to file a reply in eight weeks while hearing an appeal filed by R-Infra against the SIC order. R-Infra had contended that it is a private company and so the provisions of the RTI Act cannot be applied to them.

On July 19, the SIC had brought R-Infra under the purview of RTI, observing that it provided an essential public service of electricity and hence should come under the Act.

While hearing a complaint filed by RTI activist Anil Galgali, the SIC had also directed RInfra to appoint a public information officer and an appellate officer as per the provisions of the RTI Act.

“R-Infra does not fall within the definition of a public authority as either being owned, controlled or substantially financed by the funds provided by the government,” stated RInfra’s appeal.