In an order, Kerala Information Commission declared that the office of the Minister of the Finance Minister is not a Public Office for the purpose of applicability of RTI Act. Chief Information Commissioner Mr Palat Mohandas passed this order on 31.03.2008 declaring that the office of the Minister is not a a Public Authority. The Commission observed that for the applicability of the RTI Act, it is necessary for the office to come under section 2(h) and also possess some information as defined under section 2(j). The Commission observed that the as the office of the Minister does not 'generate' any information and as there is no permanent staff attached to this office, the office of the Minister is not a Public Authority as defined under the RTI Act.The Commission also differentiated the office of the Minister with the Prime Minister's Office and held that the PMO acts as an independent secretariat covering a wide range of issues while the office of the Minister takes into account matters only concerning that ministry. The Commission, thus observed that the office of the Minister is not a Public Authority.This is a very bad order and we plan to challenge this order in Kerala High Court. Please send your comments and opinion on this order. Please also send us the copies of orders passed by different Information Commissions either on similar lines or declaring the office of the minister as Public Authority under the RTI Act.Thanks and Regards!Divya Jyoti JaipuriarAdvocatePublic Cause Research Foundation(A Parivartan Initiative)[posted on the Humjanenge group]