Government of India has refused to disclose detailed data on crude oil imports from Russia, citing commercial confidentiality and national strategic interests. The decision was taken by Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and upheld by the Central Information Commission (CIC).
The RTI application sought country-wise and company-wise details of crude oil imports from Russia between June 2022 and June 2025, including data for major companies such as IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, ONGC Videsh, Reliance Industries, and Nayara Energy.
Grounds for Denial under RTI Act
The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) rejected the request on the basis that:
- The information is commercially sensitive and confidential in nature.
- Disclosure is exempt under:
- Section 8(1)(d): Protects commercial confidence and trade secrets
- Section 8(1)(e): Covers information held in fiduciary capacity
The CIC, set up under the Right to Information Act in 2005, upheld this position, emphasizing that disclosure could harm India’s economic and strategic interests, especially in the context of global energy markets.
Significance of Decision
- Highlights the balance between transparency and national interest under the RTI framework.
- Reflects the strategic sensitivity of energy imports, particularly amid geopolitical tensions.
- Reinforces that economic data with commercial implications can be lawfully withheld.
About Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC)
It is an attached office of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, established on 1 April 2002 after the dismantling of the Administered Pricing Mechanism (APM) and abolition of the Oil Coordination Committee (OCC). The expenditure of PPAC is borne by the Oil Industry Development Board.
Objectives of PPAC
- Ensure effective implementation of petroleum subsidy schemes
- Analyse price trends and their impact on consumers and oil companies
- Evaluate policy options related to pricing, transportation, and distribution
- Continuously collect, compile, and disseminate sectoral data
- Support evidence-based energy policy formulation
Key Roles and Functions
- Assists government in pricing of petroleum products and subsidy administration
- Collects and analyses data on the oil and gas sector. Maintains a comprehensive data bank on the energy sector
- Disseminates sectoral reports to stakeholders (public & private)
- Supports subsidy schemes such as: PDS kerosene subsidy, Domestic LPG subsidy, Freight subsidy for remote areas
- Monitors global and domestic price trends of crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas