JUDGMENT

1. The Petitioner seeks to challenge the Order dated 20.03.2023 passed by the Central Information Commission (CIC) to the extent that it has denied the access to the copy of agreements entered into by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) with the external organization for handling grievance redressal on its behalf.

2. The Petitioner filed an application under Right to Information Act, 2005 (hereinafter referred to as 'RTI, Act') seeking the following information:

"1. Please state whether the UIDAI has formulated any policies or regulations regarding grievance redressal. If so, please provide a copy of the same.

2. Please state whether the UIDAI has hired an external organisation to handle grievance redressal on its behalf. If so please provide a copy of the contract with such external organisation.

3. If the UIDAI is handling grievance redressal internally, please state the number of personnel who have been assigned to the job, along with their ranks.

4. Please state the number of complaints handled by the grievance redressal mechanism over since January 1, 2016."

3. The information sought for and the reply given to the Petitioner by the Public Information Officer rea