RTI activist denied Krishna UK visit details

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IBNS) The Information Commissioner has upheld the position of the External Affairs Ministry that the discussions between the Indian foreign minister and his UK counterpart during the former's visit to the UK in June-July this year cannot be disclosed in response to any RTI application owing to its confidentiality.

A hearing was held by the Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi on Dec 29 on an appeal filed by Right to Information (RTI) activist Subhash Chandra Aggarwal of Delhi against the response of the Ministry of External Affairs to his RTI application dated July 12 seeking details of External Affairs Minister S M Krishna's visit to UK from June 29 to July 3.

The Commission upheld the Ministry's position that the record of discussions between the two Foreign Ministers was not to be disclosed.

Accordingly, as per the order of the Information Commissioner the Ministry would share with the applicant 03 pages of the notings pertaining to the preparations for the visit, the press release issued on the visit and the suggested tentative program drawn up prior to the visit.

The visit of Krishna had created a controversy over the expenses he incurred because of his extended stay in London to watch the Wimbledon tennis match.

Krishna had said that the expenditure incurred during those two days were paid out of his "own pocket".