CIC Orders Disclosure of Limestone Mine Maps in Telangana RTI Case

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has ordered the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) to disclose Digital Elevation Model (DEM) maps of three limestone mines in Telangana, despite the initial refusal citing confidentiality. The CIC directed the IBM's Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) to provide relevant information after severing portions exempt from disclosure under the Right to Information Act.

The DEM maps were sought by an appellant to corroborate evidence in a court case against a third-party company accused of illegal mining. However, the CPIO initially denied the request, stating that the data contained commercial confidence, trade secrets, or intellectual property that could harm the competitive position of the concerned party.

But the CIC observed that mere classification as confidential was not sufficient to deny disclosure under the RTI Act. The commission directed the CPIO to revisit the contents of the RTI application and provide 'relevant permissible information' after severing the portion exempt from disclosure.