RBI about demonitisation

New Delhi March 27: Right to Information (RTI) had asked that "Why was not the conversion of old currency notes allowed till March 31, 2017, for Indians as assured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech on November 8 announcing demonetisation"?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has refused to answer the question under the Right to Information (RTI) Act claiming the query does not come under the definition of "information" as per the transparency law.

The Prime Minister in his speech on November 8, 2016, announcing demonetisation, had assured countrymen that they could convert the notes of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 till March 31.

Later, it was decided that the window till March 31 will be kept only for Non-Resident Indians who constitute a major support base for the ruling BJP.



The issue about the time limit for converting old currency notes is also being heard by the Supreme Court where attorney general Mukul Rohatgi has reportedly submitted that the law will prevail over the words of the Prime Minister.

"The question is in the nature of seeking reasons or justification from CPIO which is not defined as information as per Section 2(f) of the RTI Act," said the response form Suman Ray, central public information officer.

The Supreme Court has clarified the issue in one of its noted judgements saying if opinion or advice is available in the records of the public authority, it will come under the definition of the "information" under the RTI Act.

Former information commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said that section 8(2) of the RTI Act allows disclosure of information, even if it is exempted, if it is in larger public interest.

The RTI Act defines "information" as "any material in any form" held by or under the control of a public authority.