RTI Activist Gopal Prasad raises the fundamental question: Will the tax liabilities, assets, and electoral conduct of high-ranking Ministers and officials remain beyond public scrutiny?

Delhi-based RTI activist Gopal Prasad has sought detailed information under Section 6(1) & 6(3) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 and Section 76 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT). The queries, relating to the period from 2014 to 2025, covered issues concerning current and former Union Ministers as well as officers of the Indian Administrative Services. The key points included: 1. Certified copies of actions taken, pending matters, policies, and rules regarding recovery of various taxes and other dues. 2. Complaints of corruption and scams, status of investigations, reports of Commissions/SITs, details of financial losses, and recovery measures. 3. Declarations of movable/immovable assets, business interests, and income sources of Ministers, along with their departmental websites/weblinks. 4. Complaints and action taken regarding declared/undeclared assets of IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS, IIS officers. 5. Complaints concerning electoral irregularities, with date-wise action taken and updated status. --- Responses Received 1. Prime Minister’s Office (PMO): The Under Secretary & CPIO stated that the information sought relates to various public authorities, and the applicant must directly approach the respective departments. Citing CIC and Supreme Court decisions, it was further held that “seeking diverse subjects in a single RTI application is contrary to the spirit of the RTI Act.” 2. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): The Deputy Secretary & CPIO invoked Section 7(9), claiming that compilation of such information would disproportionately divert public authority resources, hence cannot be provided. 3. Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT): The Under Secretary & CPIO informed that the application had been transferred to multiple sections. Some sections responded that “no such data is maintained, hence the information may be treated as nil.” 4. Cabinet Secretariat: The Under Secretary & CPIO stated that the procedure for asset and liability declarations by Ministers is contained in the Code of Conduct, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs. 5. Rajya Sabha & Lok Sabha Secretariats: The Rajya Sabha Secretariat termed the application unrelated, while the Lok Sabha Secretariat transferred it to the Election Commission of India. 6. Election Commission of India: The CPIO stated that such information is not available with the Commission and cannot be obtained from the concerned authorities. 7. Other Ministries/Departments (Environment, Information & Broadcasting, Consumer Affairs, CGST, Income Tax, etc.): Most of these denied information citing non-availability, Section 7(9) (disproportionate resource diversion), or exemptions under Section 24. Conclusion RTI activist Gopal Prasad observed that: The responses from the PMO and various ministries clearly indicate a serious lack of transparency in the collection and disclosure of such information. Excessive reliance on Section 6(3), Section 7(9), and Section 24 is obstructing transparency and accountability. This raises the fundamental question: Will the tax liabilities, assets, and electoral conduct of high-ranking Ministers and officials remain beyond public scrutiny? He further stated that this matter will now be taken before higher constitutional forums and judicial review, to ensure accountability and transparency in governance. --- Issued by: Gopal Prasad (RTI Activist) House No.12, First Floor, Gali No.5, Chander Vihar, Near Balaknath Mandir, I.P. Extension, Delhi–110092 Mobile: +91-9910341785, +91-7678261884 WhatsApp:8178949704 Email: gopalrti7@gmail.com sampoornkranti2025@gmail.com twitter(X): @varanasilok2024 Blog:www.sampoorn-kranti.blogspot.com https://youtu.be/0zFBkchPeRY?si=2udvFtL3-CHXltJi&sfnsn=wiwspmo