CIC advises Maharatna power transmission company to ensure upfront disclosure of tender, bidder documents

Business To Business, New Delhi, 08^th July, 2026:    The Central Information Commission (CIC) has observed that state-owned Maharatna power transmission company Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (POWERGRID) does not proactively disclose tender-related information that should ideally be available in the public domain to promote transparency and accountability.
While disposing of an appeal under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Commission advised the public sector undertaking to proactively publish documents related to tenders, bidders and contract awards in accordance with the provisions of the RTI Act.
The advisory was issued under Section 25(5) of the RTI Act during the hearing of an appeal seeking information concerning POWERGRID's 765 kV Phagi–Bhiwani Circuit-I transmission line project passing through Bagholi village in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district.
The CIC observed that greater transparency in procurement processes would reduce the need for citizens to seek such information through RTI applications and would strengthen public confidence in the functioning of government-owned enterprises.
The Commission recommended that POWERGRID make tender documents, bid details, evaluation-related information and contract award documents readily accessible through proactive disclosure, in line with the spirit of the RTI Act.
The advisory aims to improve transparency in public procurement by encouraging timely dissemination of key information, thereby enhancing accountability and facilitating easier public access to records concerning government contracts and infrastructure projects.