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Central Information Commission

Jitendra Verma vs Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare on 4 May, 2026

                             के ीय सू चना आयोग
                       Central Information Commission
                          बाबा गंगनाथ माग, मुिनरका
                        Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
                        नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067


 File No: CIC/MH&FW/A/2025/612081

 Jitendra Verma                                             .....अपीलकता/Appellant

                                              VERSUS
                                               बनाम

 CPIO
 Under Secretary Govt. Of
 India, M/o Health & FW Nirman
 Bhawan, New Delhi-110011(RTI
 Section)                                                .... ितवादीगण /Respondent

 Date of Hearing                     :   28.04.2026
 Date of Decision                    :   29.04.2026

INFORMATION COMMISSIONER :               Jaya Varma Sinha

Relevant facts emerging from appeal:

 RTI application filed on            :   24.10.2024
 CPIO replied on                     :   18.12.2024
 First appeal filed on               :   21.11.2024
 First Appellate Authority's order   :   Not on record
 2nd Appeal dated                    :   11.03.2025

Information sought

:

1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 24.10.2024(online) seeking the following information:

"1- Who is the winner of COVID 19 SOLUTION CHALLENGE competition announced on March 27, 2020 by the Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Government of India?

2- When the result had been announced?

3- If not announced, Till when will it announced?"

2. The CPIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 18.12.2024 stating as under:

"Please refer your RTI No. MoHFW/R/T/24/02427 dated 21.11.2024 received in this office from Digital India Corporation for providing information under RTI Act, 2005.

2. It is informed that the information sought does not maintained by this office/CPIO. The information may fall under the purview of MyGov which is administered by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Hence, your RTI is being forwarded to them for furnishing the requisite information directly to you."

3. Being dissatisfied, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 21.11.2024. The FAA order is not available on record.

4. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied, Appellant approached the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.

Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:

The following were present:-

Appellant: Advocate Matendra Singh Gahlot, representative of the Appellant, attended the hearing through VC.

Respondent: Shri Rajesh Kumar, CPIO-cum-Under Secretary, attended the hearing in person.

5. The representative of the Appellant stated that the Respondent has not provided the relevant information as sought in the instant RTI Application.

6. The Respondent submitted that no COVID-19 solution challenge competition has been conducted by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and therefore information sought by the Appellant is not available in the records. He further added that the relevant information may fall under the purview of MyGov which is administered by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

7. The Appellant interjected and apprised the Bench that he has also filed RTI Application with MeitY and MeitY has informed that the information is available with MoHFW.

8. The Commission interjected and counselled the Appellant that this Bench of the Commission has no jurisdiction over the cases pertaining to MeitY.

9. A written submission has been received from Shri Rajesh Kumar, CPIO-

cum-Under Secretary, vide letter dated 16.04.2026, a copy of which has been sent to the Appellant and the same has been taken on record. The relevant extract of the same is as under:

"2. In so far as COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Cell is concerned, as per available records, the following is submitted:-

was i. An RTI application dated 21.11.2024 filed by Mr. Jitendra Verma received to the undersigned from the Nodal office/RTI Cell of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Annexure-I).

ii. The undersigned CPIO informed that the information sought is not maintained by this office/CPIO and the same may fall under the purview of MyGov which is administered by Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology (MeitY). Further, the RTI application was forwarded to MeitY with the request to provide the information, if any, directly to the applicant vide letter dated 18.12.2024 (Annexure-II). A copy of the content specifying about the CoVID 19 Solution Challenge on available on the website of MeitY is also attached herewith (Annexure-III) as per which the subject matter relates to them. iii. Applicant filed first appeal dated 24.12.2024 before the First Appellate Authority (FAA) of CVAC on the ground that the information given by the CPIO was not satisfactory.

iv. FAA (CVAC) examined the matter and informed the applicant that as per the available records, no information is available with the CPIO, CVAC. Hence, the 1st Appeal was disposed of accordingly by the FAA. (Annexure-IV). v. Appellant filed second appeal before the CIC.

3. In this regard, it is submitted that as per the available records, the information sought by the applicant vide RTI application dated 21.11.2024 is not available in CVAC and the reply sent to the applicant by the CPIO vide letter dated 18.12.2024 is correct and there is nothing more to add. The information may fall under the purview of MyGov which is administered by Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology (MeitY). Hence, RTI application was forwarded to them for furnishing the requisite information directly to the applicant.

4. A copy of this submission with Annexures was sent to the applicant via speed post."

Decision:

10. The Commission after adverting to the facts and circumstances of the case, hearing both the parties and perusal of the records, observes that as per the submission of the Respondent, no information is available in their records and the same might be available with MeitY. On the other hand, the representative of the Appellant apprised the Bench that he has filed an RTI Application with MeitY and MeitY has informed that the information is available with MoHFW.

11. In view of the above, the Commission deems it fit to direct Shri Rajesh Kumar, CPIO-cum-Under Secretary, MoHFW, to revisit the RTI Application and make an effort to search their database/records diligently to locate the relevant records and if found, provide the same to the Appellant within three weeks from the date of receipt of this order. In the event Respondent is required to seek further assistance from any other office/officer for compliance with the above directions, the same shall be sought under Section 5(4) of RTI Act.

12. In the event of the relevant record not being found, the CPIO is directed to submit an appropriate affidavit, on non-judicial stamp paper deposing the factum of non-availability of the relevant record. The said affidavit be submitted to the Commission with its copy duly endorsed to the Appellant, within four weeks from the date of receipt of this order.

13. The FAA shall ensure compliance of this order.

The appeal is disposed of accordingly.

Jaya Varma Sinha (जया वमा िस ा) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) Authenticated true copy (अिभ मािणत स ािपत ित) (Ashutosh Vasistha) Dy. Registrar 011- 26107042 CIC/MH&FW/A/2025/612081 Page 4 of 5 Copy To:

The FAA, Dy. Secretary Govt. Of India, M/o Health & FW, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi-110001 CIC/MH&FW/A/2025/612081 Page 5 of 5 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-

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