To,
Pushp Kumar Nair
Executive Director (HRD)
The First Appellate Authority (FAA)
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
Subject: First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act, 2005 – Against Denial of Information by
CPIO under Section 8(1)(j)
Respected Sir,
I am filing this first appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act, 2005, against the response of the
Central Public Information Officer (CPIO), BPCL, who has declined to furnish information
requested in my RTI application dated [insert date of RTI application], citing exemption under
Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.
Background
In the said RTI application (copy attached for ready reference), I had sought access to BPCL’s
official policies relating to:
1. Promotion of employees/executives
2. Job Rotation & Transfer
3. Welfare benefit schemes for employees (i.e. various advances, reimbursements)
The CPIO, however, denied the request citing that the information has no relationship to any public
activity or interest and hence exempt under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act.
Grounds of Appeal
The denial of information is unjustified and contrary to the intent and provisions of the RTI Act,
for the following reasons:
1. The requested information is not personal: The information sought relates to internal
policy documents of a public authority and does not pertain to any individual’s personal
details. It concerns general rules and procedures applicable across the organization.
2. Disclosure is in public interest: Policies regarding promotion, transfers, and welfare benefits
in a public sector undertaking directly concern employee rights and public accountability.
These are matters of legitimate public interest.
3. CIC Precedents Support Disclosure:
o In Ajay Kumar vs. NTPC Ltd., the CIC ruled that welfare schemes and HR policies
of public enterprises are not exempt under Section 8(1)(j) and must be disclosed.
o In Subhash Chandra Agrawal vs. Cabinet Secretariat (July 10, 2012), the CIC held
that policy documents form part of decision-making and fall under mandatory
disclosure.
o Additionally, PSUs like NALCO and MRPL have proactively published their
executive promotion policies on their official websites, in line with Section 4(1)(b) of
the RTI Act.
Prayer/Relief Sought
I therefore request you to kindly:
Set aside the CPIO’s denial of information, and
Direct the CPIO to furnish copies of the requested promotion, transfer, job rotation, and
welfare policies as per the original RTI application.
I am enclosing a copy of the original RTI application and the CPIO’s reply for your reference.
Thank you for your attention and for upholding the principles of transparency and accountability.
Yours faithfully,
Banti Mahanty
Date: 23/06/2025
Place: Rajahmundry, AP
Enclosures:
1. Copy of original RTI Application
2. CPIO’s Response dated 10/06/2025
To
The Central Public Information O icer (CPIO),
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL),
Subject: Request for Information under RTI Act, 2005
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am filing this application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 to seek the following information related to
policies, o ice orders, and recruitment details implemented by BPCL.
A. Information Requested – Internal HR and Employee Welfare Policies
Kindly provide copies of policy documents/o ice orders/circulars or detailed information (if available in any
form) on the following:
1. Policy on Conveyance Maintenance Reimbursement of Expenditure (CMRE), Petrol Allowance, or
Conveyance Allowance – Including eligibility criteria, limits, and claim procedures.
2. Promotion Policy for O icers in BPCL – Including criteria, evaluation process, timelines, and relevant
o ice orders.
3. Job Rotation and Transfer Policy in BPCL – Covering scope, frequency, applicability across
functions/locations, and guidelines governing the same.
4. Policy on Advances Provided to Employees – Kindly provide details and copies of applicable rules
regarding the following advances:
o House Building Advance
o Conveyance Advance
o Furniture Advance
o Laptop Advance
o Mobile Advance
o Briefcase Advance
o Spectacle Advance
o Children Education Advance
o Festival Advance
(Including eligibility, limits, repayment conditions, and implementation status)
B. Recruitment Advertisement Dated 21/05/2025 – HR Discipline
5. With reference to the advertisement for Recruitment for Mid/Senior Level Roles issued around
21/05/2025, specifically for roles under the HR Discipline, kindly provide:
o The pay scale level applicable to the positions of Team Leader and Team Member, as per the
Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) guidelines.
o Any relevant documents clarifying the grade mapping or internal equivalence used for this
recruitment.
Regards
Banti Mahanty
