CIC directs MEA to disclose names of private persons who accompanied Narendra Modi on foreign tours

New Delhi: The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to disclose the names of those private individuals who have travelled with prime minister Narendra Modi on foreign tours.

In October 2017, Karabi Das approached the MEA seeking information on expenses incurred on the prime minister’s foreign visits in 2015-16 and 2016-17, along with the list of people travelling with him. No satisfactory information was provided to the applicant, following which he approached the CIC.

The ministry demanded Rs 224 for providing the information which was deposited by the applicant, activist Subhash Agrawal, who represented the applicant during the hearing, told CIC chief RK Mathur.

In its submissions during the hearing, the ministry said no other data is maintained in consolidated form regarding the visits of the prime minister except date and place of visit and the expenses incurred on chartered flights.

The ministry also told the commission that it will look into the matter with regard to the payment of Rs 224 and will provide updated information. “List of private persons (not linked with security) who travelled with the prime minister of India at government expenditure should be provided to the appellant redacting names of other officials,” Mathur ordered.