Central Information Commission
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Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi - 110 066
Website: www.cic.gov.in
Decision No.2857/IC(A)/2008
F. No.CIC/MA/A/2008/00689
Dated, the 17th July, 2008
Name of the Appellant: Sh. Shyamlal Yadav
Name of the Public Authority: Air India
Facts
:
1. The appellant was heard on 17/7/2008.
2. The appellant had sought to know the details of concessional/free travel
availed by 78 Ministers under the scheme of Frequent Fliers. This scheme is
available to all the customers of the respondent. All the 78 Ministers, whose
details have been asked for, are identified in his RTI application. The CPIO has
replied to the application for information. But, the information sought for has
been refused u/s 8(1)(d) of the Act, on the ground that the information is in the
nature of commercial confidence. Hence, it cannot be disclosed.
3. During the hearing, the appellant stated that the Ministers’ travel at the
cost of public funds and the incentives earned under the scheme are availed of
for private purposes. He also stated that the Sixth Pay Commission has
recommended for discontinuation of this scheme.
Decision:
4. Almost all the airlines have been offering incentives to the passengers
irrespective of their official status. The Government and public servants have
been availing of such incentives provided by the respondent and other airlines
with which it has been competing. The disclosure of selective information in
respect of the identified Ministers could be misused for humiliation and
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” If you don’t ask, you don’t get”. – Mahatma Gandhi
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harassment of any passenger. Almost every commercial entity offers certain
incentives to promote its business and the respondent is no exception. IN view
of this, the denial of information on the ground of commercial confidence u/s
8(1(d) of the Act is justified.
5. The appeal is thus disposed of.
Sd/-
(Prof. M.M. Ansari)
Central Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy:
(M.C. Sharma)
Assistant Registrar
Name & address of Parties:
1. Sh. Shyamlal Yadav, Principal correspondent, “India Today”, F-26,
Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110 001.
2. Sh. Bharat Chaturvedi, Commercial Manager & CPIO, Air India, Indira
Gandhi International Airport, Terminal-II, New Delhi – 110 037.
3. Sh. Jitender Bhargava, ED-Corporate Communications & Appellate
Authority, Air India, Airlines House, 113 Gurudwara Rakabganj Road, New
Delhi – 110 001.
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“All men by nature desire to know”. – Aristotle
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