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DEHRADUN: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to disclose complaints of corruption received against Union ministers between 2014 and 2017 and action taken on them as well as to share information on the quantum and value of black money brought back from abroad since the Narendra Modi government came to power.

The directions to provide all relevant details within 15 days were issued by chief information commissioner Radha Krishna Mathur on October 16. The CIC, the top appellate body on RTI matters, was hearing an appeal by Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi . Chaturvedi had approached the CIC on the grounds that complete information had not been provided to him from the PMO while answering an RTI application he had filed in August 2017.

In his RTI query, Chaturvedi, currently serving as a conservator of forests in Kumaon, had sought information on quantum and value of black money brought back from abroad and details regarding deposition of the money into accounts of citizens by the Centre since June 1, 2014. He had also asked for certified copy of corruption complaints against serving Union ministers and action taken on them.

The PMO had termed Chaturvedi’s questions as not covered in the definition of “information” which can be accessed under the Right to Information Act. The commissioner, however, rejected the contention. The CIC also directed the PMO to disclose action taken on Chaturvedi’s letter alleging corruption against officials of the AIIMS and purported role of a Union health minister in it.

