The Central Information Commission (CIC) has advised the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to proactively publish residential lift installation plans, sanctioned building maps, approvals, and related documents in the public domain. The recommendation aims to improve transparency, facilitate easier public access to information, and reduce the number of individual applications filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
The advisory was issued by Information Commissioner Vinod Kumar Tiwari while disposing of show-cause proceedings against an MCD Public Information Officer (PIO) over a delay in providing information related to lift installation records in a residential apartment complex.
During the proceedings, the Commission observed that documents relating to permissions, sanctions, building plans, and lift installation approvals are matters of recurring public relevance and wider public interest. It noted that citizens frequently seek such information through RTI applications, making proactive disclosure a more efficient and transparent approach.
The Commission pointed out that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi already places sanctioned building plans in the public domain. Building on this practice, it recommended that the civic body also make information related to lift installations publicly accessible, including approvals for retrofitted or newly installed lifts in existing residential buildings.
Accordingly, the CIC advised the MCD to publish records relating to permissions and sanctions for lift installations, applicable guidelines, procedures, prescribed application formats, and other related documents. The recommendation has been made in line with the provisions of Section 4(1)(b) of the RTI Act, which encourages public authorities to proactively disclose information to promote openness and minimize the need for formal information requests.
The Commission stated that wider disclosure of these records would enhance transparency in municipal administration, help residents verify approvals and compliance, and simplify access to information for housing societies, apartment owners, developers, and other stakeholders.
The advisory was issued after the Commission examined the explanation submitted by the concerned Public Information Officer regarding the delay in responding to the RTI application. The CIC accepted the officer’s explanation and concluded that there was no evidence of mala fide intent or deliberate obstruction in providing the requested information.
As a result, the Commission decided that no penal action was warranted under the provisions of the RTI Act
