Takes on PMO for refusing to release 2015 Raghuram Rajan report

The government must divulge the list of wilful defaulters of large loans, Central Information Commissioner (CIC) Sridhar Acharyulu said on Friday, dismissing the Prime Minister’s Office’s latest response disclaiming responsibility.

In his order, the Commissioner slammed the PMO for refusing to comply with his November 2 direction to explain what action has been taken on former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan’s 2015 letter alerting the PMO to high-profile cases of wilful default. The PMO had claimed that as the original petition was not addressed to it, it was not liable to comply with the direction.

Also Read Full text of interview with Central Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu

“If there is any objection based on any exception, the PMO should have pleaded such provision and justify their denial. Instead, the PMO refused to comply with the direction of disclosure of action on letter of Sri Raghuram Rajan, on grounds which are not legal,” said Mr. Acharyulu.

“The CPIO of the RBI did not provide information obviously because of instructions of the higher authorities, which might include apex policymakers,” Mr Acharyulu said. But the CIC allowed the RBI’s request for more time to respond.

Mr. Acharyulu also defended his decision to hold RBI governor Urijit Patel personally liable for defying the Supreme Court’s previous orders. “Can an ordinary PIO do such a big job? The highest authority of the RBI will do it. So do you think I should punish the ordinary small employee?” he said.