CIC Orders DPIIT to File Affidavit on Covid Vaccine Funding Data

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The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to file an affidavit stating that information about government funding for Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers is not available. The directive came during a hearing on a Right to Information (RTI) appeal filed by Mahavir Singh Sharma, who sought details of the thousands of crores of rupees released by the Union government to Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech for vaccine production in 2020 and 2021. Initially, DPIIT replied that the information was not held by its logistics division, but the CIC ordered the department to formally affirm its stand through an affidavit. The commission observed that the reply was appropriate, but the affidavit was necessary to place the department's claim on record. DPIIT has been directed to submit the affidavit within 15 days, both by post and through the CIC's compliance portal, with a copy to be served to the appellant. Sharma had sought information on various aspects, including the release of ₹4,500 crore to the institutes without bank guarantee, the return of the amount with interest, and details of vaccine doses delivered to the government. The CIC's order aims to provide transparency in the government's handling of Covid-19 vaccine funding and production.