Central Information Commission can’t comment on utilisation of MPLADS funds by legislators: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court ruled that the Central Information Commission (CIC) lacks jurisdiction to comment on the utilization of Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds. Justice Subramonium Prasad clarified that the RTI Act's scope is limited to ensuring information access. \r

The court made this observation while hearing the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation's plea challenging a CIC order on an RTI application. The CIC had criticized MPs for accumulating MPLADS funds for election advantages and recommended measures to prevent misuse. \r

The High Court expunged the CIC's comments on fund utilization but upheld the directive to publish MP-wise, constituency-wise, and work-wise fund details .