In a detailed order, Justice Prasad held that the contract entered into by the UIDAI with an external organization shall be considered as ‘information’ which will come within the ambit of RTI Act.
Justice Prasad observed that he does not see any reason why the contracts entered into between UIDAI and third party cannot be given under the RTI Act.
“The contracts have been entered into pursuant to the tenders and, therefore, it is necessary that there is a complete transparency regarding the way these contracts are awarded. The Petitioner has not sought for the details of the individuals which the external organization would be handling. However, a reading of Regulation 3(2)(m) [of Aadhaar (Data Security) Regulations, 2016] mandates that the security policy may provide for the requirement for entering into information disclosure agreements with the personnel.”
The Court, therefore, modified, the CIC’s order and ordered that contract shall be furnished to the petitioner.
Source: Barandbench
