Central Information Commission
Sukanya Berwal vs Cotton Corporation Of India Ltd. on 26 February, 2026
के ीय सूचना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ माग, मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
िशकायत सं ा / Complaint No. CIC/CCOIL/C/2024/656849
Sukanya Berwal ...िशकायतकता/Complainant
VERSUS
बनाम
CPIO,
Cotton Corporation of India Ltd.
Navi Mumbai ... ितवादीगण /Respondents
Date of Hearing : 26/02/2026
Date of Decision : 26/02/2026
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER : Ashutosh Chaturvedi
Relevant facts emerging from Second Appeal/Complaint:
RTI application filed on 03/10/2024
CPIO replied on 29/10/2024
First appeal filed on 02/11/2024
FAA's order dated 25/11/2024
Complaint dated 24/12/2024
Information sought:
The complainant has filed RTI application dated 03/10/2024 seeking the following information:
"Compliance of Resolutions passed by the United Nations for adoption: Supply action taken on PMOPG/E/2024/0146574, along with- Community Policing in good faith as scouting for World Cotton Day - Cotton sector contributes significantly to the economies of many low-income countries, as a source of employment and livelihoods. It is estimated that cotton sustains about 32 million Second Appeal/ Complaint No. CIC/CCOIL/C/2024/656849 Page 1 of 6 growers and benefits over 100 million families across about 80 countries in 5 continents. World Cotton Day (7 October) offers an opportunity to highlight the vital role that cotton plays in economic development, international trade and poverty alleviation. Because cotton is a natural Fiber like no other. Here are just some reasons why:
1. It's a poverty-alleviating crop in some of the least developed countries in the world, providing sustainable and decent employment to people across the globe.
2. It biodegrades quickly compared with synthetic alternatives, decreasing the amount of plastics entering our waterways and helping to keep our oceans clean.
3. It's the only agricultural commodity that provides both Fiber and food. As a crop that grows in arid climates, it thrives in places no other crop can. Minister for Textile, to pass directives, to celebrate as UN Resolutions and send reports being compliance...."
2. The CPIO has furnished a reply to the complainant dated 29/10/2024 stated as under:
"As per the information available, World Cotton Day is celebrated on October 7th as a global recognition of cotton and its stakeholders, from field to fabric and beyond. Initiated by the Cotton-4 (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali) countries, the World Trade Organisation launched this day on October 7th, 2019. In August 2021, the United Nations General Assembly acknowledged the unique benefits of cotton by declaring October 7th each year as World Cotton Day. As one of the leading cotton-producing countries, World Cotton Day is also being celebrated in India by various organisations/ textile industry by organising events and seminars to share and showcase innovations related to cotton.
Other information sought is not clear."
3. Aggrieved and dissatisfied, the complainant filed the First Appeal with the first Appellate Authority and the First Appellate Authority vide order dated 25/11/2024 stated as under:
".....World Cotton day is celebrated on October 7th as a global recognition of cotton and its stakeholders, from field to fabric and beyond. Initiated by the Cotton-4 (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali) countries, the World Trade Organization launched this day on October 7th, 2019. In August 2021, the United Nations General Assembly acknowledged the unique benefits of cotton by declaring October 7th each year as World Cotton Day. However, no such information regarding circulars, notifications, and guidelines to regulate, Second Appeal/ Complaint No. CIC/CCOIL/C/2024/656849 Page 2 of 6 including punishment for violations. As one of the leading cotton-producing countries, World Cotton Day is also being celebrated in India by various organizations/textile industry by organizing events and seminars to share knowledge and showcase innovations related to cotton.
2. Regarding ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton, it is stated that being a central nodal agency for undertaking MSP operations of cotton under Ministry of Textiles, CCI opens adequate (about 500) procurement centres in 150 districts of 12 cotton growing states to safeguard the interests of cotton farmers. CCI Officials remain present at procurement centres right from the first day of the cotton season (i.e. 1st October) to keep close watch on market situation and procure cotton offered by farmer at MSP rates in APMCs as per MSP guidelines without any quantitative restrictions. To empower cotton farmers, CCI had launched Cott-Ally app, which provides information in nine regional languages to enhance awareness among cotton farmers about MSP rates, nearest procurement centers, and additional features such as payment tracking, videos on best farming practices, weather reports, latest cotton-related news, grievance redressal, and live chat support. Further, all the payments are made directly in aadhar linked bank account of cotton farmers through National Automated Clearing House (NACH) of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). In addition to above, CCI is also sending SMS to the farmers for confirmation about the billing amount and payment released to their aadhar linked bank account. Thus, CCI is promoting fair practices and safeguarding the interests of cotton farmers under the MSP framework.
3. Upon reviewing the appeal, it appears that the applicant is not seeking information rather providing suggestions and sought actions taken report in response which are not related to CCI. Accordingly, the appeal is disposed off."
4. Challenging the decision of the First Appellate Authority, the complainant filed the Instant Complaint on 24/12/2024.
Written Submission of the Respondent dated 20/02/2026 is taken on record
5. Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:
The following were present:-
Complainant: Absent Respondent: Arjun S Dave CPIO/General Manager (Purchase) participated in the hearing on VC The Complainant has not availed the opportunity to appear before the commission despite due notice of hearing. The Respondent submits that the information on record was provided to the Complainant.Second Appeal/ Complaint No. CIC/CCOIL/C/2024/656849 Page 3 of 6
DECISION The Commission has gone through the case records and on the basis of proceedings during hearing observes that appropriate reply was provided to the complainant by the CPIO within the prescribed time limit of the RTI Act, 2005. The Commission therefore does not find any malafide intention on the part of then CPIO.
Commission further observes that the Complainant has chosen to approach the Commission with a Complaint under Section 18 of the RTI Act wherein the Commission is required to examine whether there was any deliberate denial of information by the public authority. It is worthwhile to place reliance on the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the case of Chief Information Commissioner and Another v. State of Manipur and Anr. in Civil Appeal Nos. 10787-10788 of 2011 dated 12.12.2011, relevant extract whereof is as under:
"...28. The question which falls for decision in this case is the jurisdiction, if any, of the Information Commissioner under Section 18 in directing disclosure of information. In the impugned judgment of the Division Bench, the High Court held that the Chief Information Commissioner acted beyond his jurisdiction by passing the impugned decision dated 30th May, 2007 and 14th August, 2007. The Division Bench also held that under Section 18 of the Act the State Information Commissioner is not empowered to pass a direction to the State Information Officer for furnishing the information sought for by the complainant." "30. It has been contended before us by the Respondent that under Section 18 of the Act the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission has no power to provide access to the information which has been requested for by any person but which has been denied to him. The only order which can be passed by the Central Information Commission or the State Information Commission, as the case may be, under Section 18 is an order of penalty provided under Section 20. However, before such order is passed the Commissioner must be satisfied that the conduct of the Information Officer was not bona fide."
31. We uphold the said contention and do not find any error in the impugned judgment of the High court whereby it has been held that the Commissioner while entertaining a complaint under Section 18 of the said Act has no jurisdiction to pass an order providing for access to the information." "37. We are of the view that Sections 18 and 19 of the Act serve two different purposes and lay down two different procedures and they provide two different remedies. One cannot be a Substitute for the other...."Second Appeal/ Complaint No. CIC/CCOIL/C/2024/656849 Page 4 of 6
Thus, the limited point to be adjudicated in complaint u/s 18 of RTI Act is whether the information was denied intentionally.
In the light of the above observations, the Commission is of the view that there is no malafide denial of information on the part of the concerned CPIO and hence no action is warranted under section 18 and 20 of the Act.
It is further directed to the Respondent to send the copy of the written submission dated 20.02.2026 along with all the attached documents to the Complainant free of cost via speed post and email within 15 days from the date of receipt of this order and accordingly send a compliance report to the commission within 7 days thereafter.
No further intervention of the commission is warranted. The Complaint stands disposed of.
Sd/-
Ashutosh Chaturvedi (आशुतोष चतुवदी) Information Commissioner (सूचना आयु ) िदनांक/ Date: 26.02.2026 Authenticated true copy (अिभ मािणत स ािपत ित) Ram Singh Meena (राम िसंह मीना) Dy. Registrar (उप पंजीयक) 011- 26715467 Address of the Parties:
1. CPIO Cotton Corporation of India Ltd., Kapas Bhavan, Plot No. 3-A, Sector 10, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai 400614 Second Appeal/ Complaint No. CIC/CCOIL/C/2024/656849 Page 5 of 6
2. Sukanya Berwal Second Appeal/ Complaint No. CIC/CCOIL/C/2024/656849 Page 6 of 6 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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