National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) challenges CIC-verdict recommending co-ordinating attempts amongst concerned ones for pricing and packaging of medicines
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) through WP(C) 10366 of 2019 and CM No. 42777 of 2019 has challenged public-interest CIC-verdict dated 01.10.2018 in file-number CIC-NPPAT-2017-152869-BJ recommending (not even directing) a co-ordinated attempt between NPPA, Department of Pharmaceuticals and Union Ministry of Health-Welfare on public-interest suggestions (copy enclosed) on pricing and packaging of medicines made by the undersigned intervenor during CIC-hearing. Co-ordinated attempt was recommended by CIC because aspect of medicine is confusingly administered by more than one ministry and department.
This is contrary to spirit in observations made by Prime Minister first at annual CIC-convention on 16.10.2015 at Vigyan Bhawan (New Delhi), and then on 06.02.2018 at formal inauguration of new CIC-Building where he required from public-authorities to go through the hidden sense behind the RTI applications even after responding as per provisions of RTI Act, 2005.
Unfortunately system now does not permit CIC to be a party in court-cases filed against CIC-verdict, and the RTI applicant is forced to be involved solely in cumbersome, time-consuming and costly litigation at the court when a public-authority challenges public-interest CIC-verdict.
Union Ministry of Chemicals and Petrochemicals should direct NPPA to withdraw case at Delhi High Court challenging CIC-verdict dated 01.10.2018 in file-number CIC-NPPAT-2017-152869-BJ in capacity of the ministry being regulatory authority for NPPA, and instead seriously work on enclosed submissions made with CIC.
SUBHASH CHANDRA AGRAWAL