Description

RTI appeal dismissed as SEBI does not maintain data on commodities market spot and future prices for NCDEX agriculture commodities.

Summary

Appeal No. 6549 of 2025 filed by K. Siva under the Right to Information Act, 2005 has been dismissed by the Appellate Authority. The appellant sought 5 years (2019-20 to 2023-24) spot and future market data for NCDEX agriculture commodities. SEBI’s CPIO responded that SEBI does not maintain data on commodities market. The Appellate Authority upheld this response, citing Supreme Court precedent that RTI Act provides access only to existing information and does not obligate public authorities to collect or collate non-available information.

Key Points

  • Appellant K. Siva filed RTI application on August 06, 2025 seeking commodities market data
  • Information requested: 5 years (2019-20 to 2023-24) spot and future prices for NCDEX agriculture commodities
  • CPIO responded on September 02, 2025 that SEBI does not maintain commodities market data
  • Appeal filed on September 08, 2025 (Reg. No. SEBIH/A/E/25/00236)
  • Appeal dismissed on October 06, 2025 by Appellate Authority Ruchi Chojer
  • Decision based on Supreme Court ruling in Central Board of Secondary Education vs. Aditya Bandopadhyay (2011)
  • RTI Act only provides access to existing information, not information that needs to be created

Regulatory Changes

No regulatory changes. This is an administrative order clarifying the scope of RTI obligations.

Compliance Requirements

No new compliance requirements. Order reaffirms that public authorities under RTI Act are only required to provide information that exists in their records, not to create new information.

Important Dates

  • August 06, 2025: RTI application filed by K. Siva
  • September 02, 2025: CPIO response provided
  • September 08, 2025: Appeal filed
  • October 06, 2025: Appeal dismissed by Appellate Authority

Impact Assessment

No market or operational impact. This is a procedural RTI appeal dismissal with no implications for market participants. The order clarifies that SEBI does not maintain commodities market data, which is consistent with SEBI’s regulatory mandate focusing on securities markets while commodities markets fall under different regulatory frameworks.

Impact Justification

Administrative RTI appeal with no market impact or regulatory changes. Clarifies SEBI does not maintain commodities market data.