Allow inspection of Sharm el-Sheikh files: CIC to MEA

The Central Information Commission has allowed the inspection of files pertaining to controversial Sharm el-Sheikh joint statement of India and Pakistan last year, responding to a RTI application.

The Central Information Commission has allowed the inspection of files pertaining to controversial Sharm el-Sheikh joint statement of India and Pakistan last year, responding to a RTI application.

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The RTI applicant had sought to know the names of officials involved in the drafting of the document, which had

kicked up a political row in New Delhi as it contained a reference to Balochistan, where Pakistan has been alleging Indian hand in terror incidents, and delinking of talks from action against terrorism by Pakistan.

Information Commissioner Annapurna Dixit came down heavily on the External Affairs Ministry for not complying

with its directive to produce the file for perusal on December 8, 2009 and not providing the information within mandated

30-day period before issuing show-cause notice.

RTI activist S C Agrawal had sought a copy of the statement by India and Pakistan issued at the Non Aligned

Movement Summit at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt last year, besides names of the officials and persons involved in framing it

along with file-notes on its drafting.

The Ministry provided the copy of the joint declaration and the list of officials in the delegation but did not give

any names of the officials who had drafted the proposal and said there were no file-notes in its records.