RTIC Orders Disclosure of $54.8M China Development Bank Loan 📈

The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) has directed the External Affairs Ministry to release the loan agreement for the Katana Water Supply Project, rejecting government claims that confidentiality is required for debt restructuring. • Core Ruling: The RTIC ruled that public interest in transparency regarding essential infrastructure outweighs confidentiality concerns. The government must disclose the agreement by 27 February 2026. • Financial Details: The agreement involves a US$ 54.8 Million loan signed in 2017 between the China Development Bank (CDB) and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. • Transparency Context: While 8 of 9 requested Chinese loan agreements were previously released, this final document was withheld. The RTIC found the state failed to prove that disclosure would cause economic harm or prejudice foreign relations. • Legal Precedent: The Commission linked the right to information to the right to life, citing water as an essential commodity. It warned of prosecution under Section 39 of the RTI Act for non-compliance.